The YARD – Youth And Recreation on Darnhill - is a new centre for children and young people in Darnhill.  What used to be a health clinic has been completely transformed into a superbly equipped modern resource for children and young people aged 4 – 19. The YARD is currently being used by Sure Start to provide sessions for very young children and their families and it also is the new base for the old Adventure Playground (whose old, cramped premises have been demolished to make way for an exciting new outdoor play area), where children can access a range of free after school activities. In the evenings the YARD plays host to a variety of sessions for older groups of young people.  At other times, its bright, attractive facilities are available to the wider community.

The development of the YARD has been made possible by funding from Rochdale Sure Start, Heywood Township and Guinness Trust.  The redesign was carried out by Impact Partnership on behalf of Sure Start.

Project management for Sure Start by Greta McDonald.

The programme of artworks inside and outside the building was carried out by Cartwheel Arts in association with Sketchcity.  The artists who decorated the interior were Lindsey Winnington, Nick Hamilton, Ben Harrison and Tasha Whittle.  The artwork on the outside of the building was created by Pryme, and executed by Pryme and Barney Francis. 

Project management by Rick Walker and Aidan Jolly for Cartwheel Arts and Jon Winstanley for Sketchcity.

Photography and DVD production by Peter Walker, Vital Media.