PLAYSCHEME is a family-run company which has built more than 20 years of experience in creating inspiring bespoke outdoor play areas for schools, nurseries and public places locally and nationwide.

The Elvington-based business is one of the UK’s few truly bespoke specialists and have a vast experience of designing, manufacturing and installing custom-made, all manufactured in its workshop, which employs a team of 20.

The business is hoping to impress judges in the Small Business of the Year and Family Business of the Year categories.

In June the Playscheme team completed its largest project to date at Springfields Shopping Centre in Spalding, Lincolnshire. The project consisted of four main areas, The Tree Top Village, Springy’s Beach, Dino Golf as well as the UK’s largest JCB Young Drivers Zone.

Angela Forster, resource manager at Playscheme, said: “We believe in investing in the local economy and work very closely with several local suppliers and companies. Paragon Creative Ltd who produced all of our Jesmonite brick effect cladding for our buildings, GW Smith Metal Fabricators who created all of our steel work and MSW Surfacing Contractors who worked tirelessly to help us install the project to meet the summer holiday deadline.”

A more local example of their work in the community is when four-year-old Jake Smith sadly passed away in December 2016; his family were keen to build something in memory of their son.

With the help of Jake’s family, the Strensall Community and Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy, a treehouse was thoughtfully designed and built for Jake.

Playscheme started the project in March 2017, with managing director Steve Danby meeting with Jake’s family and the school.

In the new term, the school, the family and the community of Strensall all worked together to start fundraising in Jake’s name.

Working closely with Jake’s family and the school Playscheme designed a space to be elevated off the ground with a raised walkway, tree platform, clatter bridge and a sensory Treehouse.

Ms Forster said: “The project is a testament to what a community can do when they get behind a family to support them. Jake’s family and the school continue to fundraise for Dravet Syndrome UK and York Inspirational Kids.”