WHEN resourceful mum Jackie Heath realised there was no playscheme in the area she decided not to wait for someone else to set one up.

Jackie, from Nutfield Avenue, went to the council for advice, gained qualifications, applied successfully for several grants and set up a playscheme of her own.

The Mossford and Nutfield Playscheme was launched for the summer holidays and was full virtually every day.

Jackie received £495 from Children in Need, £400 from the West End Project, £75 from the Derby Docks Residents Association, two free bouncy castles from Zebedees, and money from her own residents' association.

Now Jackie has not only earned herself a job at the Ludford Centre but she has been given £1,000 worth of sports equipment for the young people of the area and plans to run the playscheme again.

"There were no independent playschemes in the area and I just wondered about setting one up," said Jackie.

"I went to the council and they said there was no money but that they would help me.

"I was told about the insurance and different things I needed to start up a playscheme and I started applying for grants.

"Everyone's been brilliant, the council, residents' associations and the Westenders Shop and the playscheme was full nearly every day.

"It's just a shame it had to finish and we're looking at whether to do it again in October, at Christmas or wait until next summer.

"Through this I've also gone from being a mum at home to getting a qualification through the basic play workers award unit one and the Ludford Centre offered me a job, so I'm working there now."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.