Refreshing Minds – a new place to play
“I’m excited to play there after our sessions, and it makes me feel like this space is really for us.”
Swinging, climbing, sliding, balancing… a safe and fun place to play, socialise and build confidence is important for every young person. But even more so if you’re facing challenges.
Refreshing Minds charity in London – which supports over 600 girls aged 6–16 each year – will be using their Better Youth Spaces grant for some makeover magic for their playground and outside space in Hackney, supporting their structured activities and encouraging free play.
The charity began in 2016 as a response to young girls growing up with far too many barriers and far too few safe places to simply be children. Through consistent care, positive role models, and creative opportunities, the charity helps girls build emotional resilience, develop life skills, and rediscover belief in themselves.
Miriam, Refreshing Minds CEO, explains: “Across North London, the girls we support face poverty, trauma, special educational needs, learning difficulties, and unstable home lives—challenges that can quietly erode confidence and limit opportunity from an early age. We provide safe, nurturing spaces where girls are seen, heard, and valued.”
Funding fun
The Better Youth Spaces grant will enable the charity to transform a previously old and worn playground into a safe, high-quality space.
“For years we knew this playground needed attention, but we simply didn’t have the funds to fix it properly”, Miriam explains, “but this grant has changed that, and we can already feel the excitement building!
“As a grassroots charity with limited cashflow, we were unable to fund a capital project of this scale from our unrestricted income without compromising frontline delivery. The Better Youth Spaces grant finally enabled us to address a long-standing issue and deliver the work safely, properly, and within a realistic timeframe, rather than continuing to delay or implement temporary fixes.”
The makeover
The resurfaced playground and custom-built climbing frame will be used daily as part of their regular programmes, providing a safe, inviting space for play, physical activity, and social interaction. And the improved outdoor area will help with confidence building, coordination, and teamwork, while also offering a much-needed outlet for stress and emotional regulation.
“The space will be enjoyed across age groups and embedded into sessions throughout the week, becoming a valued part of everyday life for the girls we support. It’s going to become a space that the girls genuinely want to use.”
Powered by community
“Over 40 volunteers—many of them former beneficiaries—give back through our peer-led model, mentoring and inspiring the next generation while providing exceptional in-kind value. Our programmes meet girls where they are—whether that’s starting the day with a safe breakfast, completing homework with support, expressing themselves through the arts, or experiencing a life-changing residential away from home. Together, these programmes do more than fill gaps; they create stability, belonging, and hope.”
Playing together, working together
Young people are intrinsically involved in everything the charity does and were actively part of shaping this project from the outset. Throughout the process, staff and volunteers continued to gather informal feedback, ensuring the final design reflected what the girls wanted and would actually use.
“Girls regularly using the playground shared feedback about what they felt was unsafe, uninviting, or difficult to use, and were clear that they wanted a space that felt exciting, challenging, and ‘grown-up’ rather than basic play equipment. Their ideas directly influenced the decision to install a custom-built climbing frame that encourages physical challenge, confidence, and imaginative play.”
Lasting impact
“I can’t wait for the new climbing frame. The playground used to be boring, but now it looks really nice and safe. I’m excited to play there after our sessions, and it makes me feel like this space is really for us.” Suri, age 10
“The impact is immediate”, explains Miriam, “a safe, inviting space where the girls can be active, play confidently, take healthy risks, and build friendships. The improved spaces make a more positive environment, higher engagement, and a space that strengthens wellbeing across our programmes, creating lasting memories and a real sense of pride and belonging.
“With the support of funders, we can continue to ensure that vulnerable girls are not defined by their circumstances but empowered to imagine and build brighter futures. We know this space will be a place where the girls feel safe, confident, and proud.”