Latest Government Guidance on Playgrounds

Posted on June 29, 2020July 2, 2020 by Sophie Bolt

Play England welcomes the announcement by Boris Johnson that playgrounds can begin to reopen from 4 July. Government guidance for playground operators can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-playgrounds-and-outdoor-gyms/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-playgrounds-and-outdoor-gyms For further ideas and inspiration on how to support children’s play, see: Play After Lockdown Webinar Play After Lockdown Briefing

Play After Lockdown Webinar

Posted on June 23, 2020July 2, 2020 by Sophie Bolt

A Play England Webinar, 23 June 2020 Hear the inspiring stories about how adventure playgrounds and playworkers have been supporting children throughout Lockdown. As we prepare for the summer, this briefing is full of practical hints and tips for playworkers and all those who work with children at play. Introduction from Anita Grant, Chair of[…]

Play After Lockdown

Posted on June 14, 2020July 2, 2020 by Sophie Bolt

A Play England Briefing, 15 June 2020 Play England has published a guide for professionals and parents to enable them to prioritise children’s play as lockdown eases. With an introduction by Bob Hughes, this is a practical guide to supporting children’s play, helping to address issues including child well-being, risk benefit assessment and leadership. Children[…]

Children’s Right to Play: Position Statement by the British Psychological Society

Posted on June 19, 2019June 19, 2019 by Sophie Bolt

Play England warmly welcomes the Children’s right to play Position Statement published by the British Psychological Society. The British Psychological Society’s Division of Educational and Child Psychology states that: Child-led play is a critical enabler of children’s holistic development and wellbeing. Educational psychologists have a key role in championing opportunities for child-led play for all[…]

Working together for children and play

Posted on June 1, 2019June 19, 2019 by Sophie Bolt

Play England trustees Laura Walsh, Libby Truscott and Nicola Butler were delighted to join delegates at the International Play Association England’s Halfway to Jaipur conference in London on 10 and 11 May 2019. Here’s a selection of the discussions and debates. Trial and error without fear of failure Opening the conference, author and poet Michael[…]

Play builds children: looking forward to Play Day 2019

Posted on May 14, 2019May 14, 2019 by Sophie Bolt

Play England is delighted to be working in partnership on Play Day, Wednesday 7 August 2019, with PlayBoard Northern Ireland, Play Scotland and Play Wales. This year’s theme is: Play Builds Children. The Playday 2019 theme aims to highlight the many ways in which play is beneficial to children and young people. * Play Builds[…]

Advocating for Play in the London Plan

Posted on May 7, 2019May 7, 2019 by Sophie Bolt

Play England Chair of Trustees Nicola Butler was amongst those giving evidence at Examinations in Public on the London Plan on Friday 3 May, along with London Assembly Member and Deputy Chair of London’s Planning Committee Nicky Gavron, Marion Briggs, Joanna Chambers, Tim Gill and Adrian Voce. Play England called for a Play Sufficiency requirement[…]

Mark Gladwin’s work recognised at National Playwork Awards

Posted on March 6, 2019May 3, 2019 by Sophie Bolt

Mark Gladwin, who died last year, has been awarded the Paul Bonel Memorial Award at the National Playwork Conference, in recognition of his unique contribution to the play and playwork sector. Mark worked and volunteered in play development and support for over 30 years, supporting play in York, Bradford, Yorkshire Play, PLAYLINK and Play England.[…]

Play builds children

Posted on February 4, 2019March 10, 2019 by Sophie Bolt

Play Builds Children: A Statement from the Children’s Play Policy Forum The Children’s Play Policy Forum A collective voice for children’s play Press Statement 4th February 2019 For Immediate Release A crisis in childhood is happening every day, all around us. The Children’s Play Policy Forum has today issued a policy statement identifying a crisis[…]

ZURICH INSURANCE: Do the ‘underwrite’ thing and don’t bar adventure playgrounds from your services

Posted on February 4, 2019February 4, 2019 by Sophie Bolt

Play England and London Play are calling on Zurich, which recently withdrew its cover from several adventure playgrounds, to revisit its decision, issuing a Joint Statement which highlights what could be lost should other insurers follow suit. Lawrence Waterman OBE, chair of the British Safety Council said: “Young people need to learn about taking and managing[…]