Thames Valley Adventure Playground celebrates 40 years by opening their 2.5 acres to all

If you haven’t heard of Thames Valley Adventure Playground (TVAP), it’s probably because you don’t have friends or family who use it. But over the last year, over 15,000 children and adults with special needs visited TVAP, nestled next to the Bath Road in Taplow.

This Saturday the playground is throwing open its doors to showcase the work they do for children and their families, inviting everyone in the local community to join in the summer fun.

From 11am to 3pm, TVAP staff and volunteers will host hundreds of visitors who will enjoy a barbeque, a soft play area, crafts, facepainting, water play, party games, karaoke, music, a tombola and a raffle.

While the 40th anniversary party is fully staffed with over a dozen volunteers, from corporates like Ragus, the sugar manufacturers, who sponsor TVAP, the charity is calling out for more to help with future events.

Fundraising and Engagement Manager Keith Hanks says he’s looking forward to meeting potential volunteers on Saturday: “We’re a small local charity, so unless you have a child that uses our facilities, you probably wouldn’t know we were here. We want to raise awareness in the local community about what we do, and sometimes we have three events in as many days, so we can never have too many volunteers.

“You don’t have to have experience with children who have special needs. You don’t have to give a huge amount of time either. Even though you might think you don’t know how to help, you do!”

Henry Eastick, CSR manager at Ragus, said, “We’re always so excited to see the work TVAP does in the local community and couldn’t be more delighted to be involved in this landmark party. Although we’re a global business, we’re very much part of the community around us and are so proud to be supporting this incredible local institution.”

Keith continues: “Volunteering for us is a very satisfying thing to do. A lot of our children have complex needs. Looking after them is often a 24 hour a day job, so a break for their families is very much needed. When our volunteers look at the positive impact they can have on kids and carers, they realise what a massive difference their contribution makes. It’s very meaningful.

Entrance to the party on Saturday is £3, and visitors are requested to bring plenty of cash, as there are no card facilities at the site.