Pupils from St Mary the Virgin primary school in Gillingham have been given the opportunity to get their hands dirty and enjoy outdoor play with a difference, thanks to the donation of a mud kitchen from housebuilders Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties.

As well as the mud kitchen donation, Taylor Wimpey has also donated £250 to the school which will go towards the provision of a new outdoor shed. The company says the donations are part of Taylor Wimpey’s commitment to ‘supporting education and outdoor play in the communities where it builds’.

The complete and life-like mud kitchens are an outdoor play resource that encourages children to engage in imaginative and sensory play. Situated in the play area of the school, the children are able to enhance their creativity and improve their problem-solving skills all while promoting physical activity and overall well-being.

Emma Board, deputy head at St Mary the Virgin CE Primary School, said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to Taylor Wimpey for their generous donation of a beautiful mud kitchen for our nursery children, as well as the funds to purchase a much-needed storage shed for our outdoor equipment. Your support has made a real difference in enhancing our outdoor learning environment. Thank you for helping our children play, explore, and grow!’

Roz Wells, Sales and Marketing Director at Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties, said: ‘At Taylor Wimpey, we believe in creating communities where families can thrive, and supporting local schools is a fundamental part of this commitment.

‘We’re delighted to donate the mud kitchen and funds towards the new shed for St Mary the Virgin CE Primary School. These resources will provide children with opportunities to explore nature and learn through outdoor play, which is essential for their development.’

St Mary the Virgin school is close to Taylor Wimpey’s Gillingham Lakes development in Gillingham. Through initiatives such as these donations, Taylor Wimpey says it aims to foster a positive impact and contribute to the well-being of children and families in the local area.

To find out more about the homes available at Gillingham Lakes, please visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/gillingham/gillingham-lakes