This is the kind of 'play area' children in Blackburn are having to make

A Blackburn 'play area' made from building site materials. Photograph: Sam Elftesi

This photograph shows the corner of a residential car park in Blackburn, Lancashire. Local children have made themselves an impromptu "play area" out of bits of spare wood and other materials from a nearby building site.

The reason I took this photo is that it illustrates how cuts to public spending are affecting families. There are no new play areas for local children being created, or existing ones being safely maintained, hence children are taking matters into their own hands and making their own makeshift play areas.

• This photograph was submitted by Sam Elftesi through the GuardianWitness Cuts Get Personal assignment. For details of current assignments and how to submit your own contributions, see the GuardianWitness website