The inaugural National Play Conference will bring together the people, places and systems that shape children’s play. Grounded in Play England’s strategy - It All Starts with Play! the Conference will connect playwork and play provision with planning, design, construction, local government, health, education, research, policy and community leadership to explore how we create the conditions all children need to play.

The Conference will explore how we create the conditions children need to play: places and spaces that welcome play; skills and people that enable and support play; systems that protect children’s right to play; and a society where play is accepted as a normal part of everyday life.

The Conference will provide a national forum for the people and organisations that create, enable, influence and advocate for play across children’s everyday lives. This includes playworkers, local authorities, planners, designers, educators, health professionals, community organisations, researchers, policymakers, funders, industry partners and others whose decisions shape children’s opportunities to play.

Through a carefully curated programme of keynote addresses, panel debates and practical learning sessions, the event will explore the most pressing issues shaping play today and into the future.

Delegates will hear from an influential speaker line-up, including policymakers, sector specialists and innovators connected to play. Speakers will be announced over the coming months, with the first announcement welcoming Tom Hayes MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play, as a keynote speaker. Amber Ogunsanya-William and Oscar will co-host the Conference, guiding delegates through the day and helping keep children’s experiences, rights and perspectives at the centre of the conversation.

Discussions will span the political landscape around play, wellbeing and public health, as well as topical issues such as adventure playgrounds, the ongoing challenge of getting children more physically active, the realities of the current planning climate and funding issues.

The Conference will also showcase emerging ideas, evidence, policy and practice that are reshaping how play is understood, planned for, supported and experienced across communities and systems.

With insight, inspiration and practical takeaways at its core, the National Play Conference aims to inform, challenge and connect the entire play community.

For anyone working in, or alongside, the UK play sector, the National Play Conference will be an essential date in the diary.