Pictured: The local Mayor thanks Willmott Dixon's volunteers 

More than 3500 local youngsters and families have enjoyed a fun filled day of outdoor activities thanks to the support of a team of volunteers from Willmott Dixon Partnerships. 

Willmott Dixon's Birmingham north and south branches joined forces with Birmingham City Council Community and Play Services  to help support a free fun day for local families, in celebration of Playday - the UK's national day for play, traditionally celebrated on the first Wednesday in August.

Working in conjunction with Big Lottery Funded 'Big Play' Detached Play Project, Birmingham Parks Ranger Services and Kids West Midlands the event took place at the popular Cannon Hill Park, in Edgbaston.  

As well as a celebration of children's right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children's lives.

Play is essential for physical and emotional growth, for mental, intellectual and educational development, and for acquiring social and behavioural skills. Play - outside and indoors - is essential for children's health, well-being and happiness now, and is also important for their future development, to build vital life and social skills.

Activities included arts and crafts, messy mud play, straw play, den building and creative play alongside a large sand pit and water slide.

The volunteers were given time off work to assist with activities as part of Willmott Dixon's 'Community Day' initiative, which pledges to offer support to community groups and organisations which operate in the area where the company is working.

Melanie Checkley, Customer and Community Officer at Willmott Dixon, said: "The summer holidays can feel very long when parents have to entertain their children every day sometimes in not great weather, so we were very happy to help them out and help to organise this event. The kids had a great time, many trying out new activities and getting messy!"

Adrian Voce, Co-Director of Play England, said: "All children need somewhere to play and - given the chance - they love to be outside in nature. We need to do much more as a society to ensure good, natural places to play are accessible to all children. Playing and exploring nature are essential to a healthy, happy childhood but the outdoor world has become increasingly denied to them, largely because of concerns for their safety. We need to help build parents' confidence to unwrap the cotton wool and allow children the every-day adventures that are an important part of growing up."

Willmott Dixon Partnerships is currently working with Birmingham City Council to repair and maintain 60,000 properties in the city. It's two contracts for the north and south of the city includes the areas of Edgbaston, Hall Green, Northfield, Selly Oak, Ladywood, Erdington, Perry Bar and Sutton Coldfield. It aims to reduce the cost of this service by £47m over the five year terms of the two contracts.

Willmott Dixon Group is one of the UK's largest privately-owned capital works, regeneration and support services companies.

With over 158 years of experience, the company provides services within the built environment to Government, registered social landlords, local authorities and private sector clients throughout the UK.

Willmott Dixon Partnerships works with social housing landlords, currently providing support services to over 135,000 homes, 1,200 public buildings and 50 commercial properties across the UK.