PlayBoard Annual Review 2004 by PlayBoard

Annual Review

2004 INCLUDING STRATEGIC PLAN 2005-08

PlayBoard Staff Team Marguerite Hunter Blair Ciara Murray Lisa O’Connor Claire Houston Janette McKnight Maura Moore Ruth Murphy Sonia Mc Allister Caroline Butler Suzi Gray Jacqueline O’Loughlin Margaret Deevy Kyra Pauley Joan Mc Grath Angela Stallard Eva Kane Lorraine Murphy Caroline Kerr Sharon Donnelly Patricia Conway Dolores Wilson Lisa Storey Barbara Hawkes Joanne Magee A Vacancy A Vacancy A Vacancy

Chief Executive PA to Chief Executive/Personnel Business Development Officer Receptionist/Telephonist Finance Manager Finance & Monitoring Officer Finance & Monitoring Officer Finance & Administration Officer Administration & Finance Officer Training & Quality Manager PlayCare Manager PlayCare Sustainability Officer PlayCare Sustainability Officer Quality Assurance Officer Play Development Officer (OOSHL) Fit for Play Manager Training & Development Officer (Eastern) Training & Development Officer (Northern) Training & Development Officer (Southern) Training & Development Officer (Western) Childcare Partnership Development Officer (until March 04) Business Development Manager (until August 04) Childcare Partnership Development Officer (until August 04) Childcare Partnership Development Officer (until September 04) PlaySpace Co-ordinator Business Development Manager Business Training Officer

PlayBoard Board of Directors Barbara McIlwrath Chairperson David Raymond Interim Treasurer Ryan Williams Vice Chair Francis Loughlin Glenn Moore, Peter McCartney, Billy Boyd (Resigned in year), Monica Culbert (Resigned in year)

Get out more to play Did you know that…. • More than one-third of children never play outside • Almost half of children spend more than three hours a day watching television or playing computer games • More than 1 in 10 spend at least five hours or more a day watching television or playing computers • Nearly two-thirds of parents are worried about letting their children play outside • Three-quarters of parents feel that children face increased risks from playing outside unsupervised compared with five years ago • 97% of children have been warned about the dangers of playing outside

from research commissioned by The Royal Bank of Scotland NatWest 2004

Chief Executive ‘ s Report “The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground” G.K Chesterton The past year for PlayBoard has been action packed and extremely fast moving, with lots of new developments and fond farewells to old friends and the much missed Out of School Hours Childcare Team. It has been a year full of consultations, campaigning and conferences.

Another welcome ally this year proved to be the Children’s Commissioner. We worked closely with Nigel William’s office on his research in respect of ‘Leisure, Play, Recreation, Culture and the Arts’. The research highlighted the need for a Play Strategy for Northern Ireland and echoed children’s pleas for a wide range of accessible provision to meet all children and young people’s needs.

The Frank Dobson Play Review, ‘Getting Serious About Play’ was launched in January 2004. It was designed to provide recommendations to the Government regarding dedicated Lottery funding for new and improved children’s play facilities. The government response is due to be released before the general election in 2005, however it is unlikely that the government will honour its last General Election pledge that £200 million of National Lottery money will be ring fenced for new and improved children’s play facilities.

On the fun side PlayBoard organised three key events in the summer. The Importance of Physical Play Conference with All Play Agencies, the launch of the Fit for Play Project in Stormont Play Park and National PlayDay at Oxford Island in August. A huge Thank You to everyone who attended these packed events, and for your enthusiastic and highly positive feedback.

On a more positive note, PlayBoard was delighted to work with 4 Children in England to award Computers to 25 projects in Northern Ireland. The Creative Computers Initiative was sponsored by Marks and Spencer.

PlayBoard also welcomed the opportunity to speak at a number of national conferences including two Community Youth Workers Trade Union Conferences, ILAM Leisure, Skills Active and the Scottish Out of School Childcare Network. The European Child in the City Conference was held in London and papers are available from PlayBoard.

The Consultation exercises came thick and fast all year, the Youthwork Strategy, Children First, Big Lottery, Fit Futures, Care Standards, Single Equality Bill, New TSN, Peace Extension, Pre School Play, Priorities and Budget 2005-08 to name but a few, responses are available from PlayBoard. PlayBoard itself consulted on the National Occupational Standards for Playwork and the Northern Ireland Playwork Education Training Strategy with SkillsActive. Campaigning on the resourcing of Play and PlayCare became a key focus of PlayBoard’s workplan for the year. We forged a strong alliance with TWN and the Women’s Sector to successfully lobby both the European Commission and the Minister of Finance and Personnel, Ian Pearson to re instate measure 1.5, Positive Action for Women (including PlayCare) in the Peace II extension programme. We extend a huge Thank You to Patricia Lewsley MLA and all three of Northern Ireland’s members of the European Parliament, Jim McAllister, Jim Nicholson, and Barbara de Bruin. The Minister has made clear that Mainstream Funding for Out of School Playcare can only be committed once the Children and Young People’s Strategy and the Review of Children First are finally completed and endorse the case PlayBoard has made (see Policy Delivery through Playcare, published by PlayBoard Oct 2004 and available on website)

I was delighted to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street in September to celebrate Childcare, at the Prime Minister and Cherie Blair’s invitation. This provided me with a wonderful opportunity to lobby at the highest level about the importance of Play and PlayCare in Northern Ireland. Very useful contacts were made with senior Policy Advisors from the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit in Downing Street, who have been very supportive.

In March PlayBoard began a new Business Project to promote organisational development. This project has been hugely successful and key outcomes include improved membership services and website services. PlayBoard is delighted to announce that we have also entered into a formal arrangement with Playdale Playground Specialists to provide exclusive membership benefits and discounted services. Further new developments included the Peace through Music Project, which was piloted in 2004, with the Shropshire Music Foundation. Through this Youth Project PlayBoard has developed a very welcome partnership with the ‘Kosovo Children’s Music Initiative’. Feedback from the pilot groups has been constructive and enabled the project to develop a clear Northern Ireland perspective. The programme will continue in the summer of 2005 with the production of a CD combining music from both the Kosovo and Belfast projects. It is hoped that Youth Leaders and Playworkers will be able to travel to Kosovo in 2005 to share experiences.

PlayBoard’s PlaySpace project (which was established in 1999 following support from Hilary Clinton and Cherie Blair for a Play for Peace Fund) gathered new momentum in 2004. A strategic alliance was forged with Speedwell Trust to fund a Playspace site at Parkanaur Forest Park in Dungannon, and we look forward to working together on this project. PlayBoard is further developing Playspace with the new Reclaiming Playspace project. Our final new development is a partnership between the EnviroCentre and ARENA Network to deliver a waste management education resource programme to Playworkers. The NI Green Gang Project is on its way to an area near you! Publications to be launched at this years AGM include Addressing Disability in Playwork, the Pathways to PlayCare toolkit, and Games not Names for All. Last but not least, PlayBoard is participating in the Youth Services JEDI programme – Joined in Equity, Diversity and Interdependence – we are finding it an extremely worthwhile experience and would highly commend the process. Many thanks to you the membership for all your continued support of PlayBoard, to all our funders, sponsors, partners, volunteers and the Children and Young People of Northern Ireland. My personal thanks to the Board of Directors for their dedication, support and guidance and to all the staff, who inspire me daily.

Marguerite Hunter Blair Chief Executive

Chairperson’s Report I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as Chairperson of the Board of Directors. I am delighted to have been able to bring my own practical experiences in Playwork, Youthwork, PlayCare and current research to the strategic planning and development of PlayBoard. Two of the main highlights for PlayBoard this year have been participating in the Youth Service’s JEDI Programme and in the revision of the Playwork Principles led by PlayWales. Both these pieces of work intrinsically reflect and underpin the value base and ethos of PlayBoard. The Strategic Plan Play Works enclosed for 2005-2008 clearly articulates the importance of PlayBoard’s role. ‘What does PlayBoard really do?’ is perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions. We have set out to provide the answers in a succinct and readily accessible format. However, critical to the success of PlayBoard is YOU the membership, our partners and key sectoral allies. We look forward to working with all of you to bring about better play opportunities for children and young people in Northern Ireland. In closing, I would like to pay tribute to Amanda Lilley, PlayBoard’s Treasurer of some six years who stood down earlier this year. We are deeply indebted to you Amanda for your commitment and loyalty and enormous voluntary contribution to PlayBoard.

Barbara McIlwrath Chairperson

Treasurer’s Report

Getting Serious About Play - The Frank Dobson Play Review

PlayBoard’s accounts will be presented in full at our AGM by our Auditors, Grant Thornton. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a huge thank you to the staff from Grant Thornton, in particular David Hall, who provided PlayBoard with exceptional support throughout the year in our task to extend the core funding base. While PlayBoard is fortunate to own its own premises and does have limited reserves, the Board’s two key priorities are to extend both the core funding base and the reserves as recommended by the Auditors. The Board of Directors is delighted that PlayBoard has been ranked as the top IFB (Intermediary Funding Body) out of 44 by the Special European Programmes Body. Congratulations to the Finance Department on this achievement!

PlayBoard facilitated the Northern Ireland response to this consultation in 2003 (see ‘What the Children Said’ available from PlayBoard). The report was launched in January 2004 and was designed to provide recommendations to the Government regarding dedicated Lottery funding for new and improved children’s play facilities. The full report can be accessed by email: Tiffany.Denny@culture.gsi.gov.uk. The key recommendations are outlined below. VITAL The common elements of many successful play opportunities were captured in the acronym VITAL – Value based, In the right place, Top quality, Appropriate, Long term. Criteria based on these five elements should be used to assess priorities for funding. Characteristics of VITAL play opportunities

David Raymond Interim Treasurer

Value based • Children and young people’s interests and rights respected • All children and young people, whatever their ability or background welcomed, especially those from disadvantaged groups • Children and young people’s competences and abilities respected In the right place • Close to children and young people’s homes and schools, on well-used travel routes, in safe locations • Located in places that children and young people and the wider community are happy with Top quality • Safe, welcoming and providing choice and variety • Well-designed in relation to the surrounding space and community • Taking a balanced approach to managing risk • Well-managed

Appropriate • Shaped by local needs and circumstances • Complementing other local opportunities • Taking account of all sectors of the local community • Well-planned Long-term • Sustainable beyond the lifetime of the funding programme • Set up to be valued and respected parts of the social fabric of the neighbourhood PROGRAMME DELIVERY The Funding programme should devote the bulk of the funding – around 80 per cent – to ‘VITAL Spaces’ strand, drawing on the criteria set out above. Alongside the main VITAL Spaces strand, the funding programme should devote up to 20 per cent of the funding to create a ‘Playful Ideas Strand’ to develop and support projects that create play opportunities in innovative ways, or in ‘non-traditional’ settings. PLAYFUL IDEAS STRAND The ‘Playful Ideas Strand’, while reflecting the VITAL criteria, should be devoted to developing innovations…. These might include: • • • •

Play provision as part of new schools Play opportunities in new housing developments Playful elements in public spaces, museums and other cultural centres Play provision with community access in childcare/early years services

The Playful Ideas would be valuable in stimulating innovative ways to include disabled children and young people, children in care and other groups excluded from mainstream provision. It is hoped that the Government will encourage good practice in the comprehensive planning and delivery of play opportunities across local authority areas. The Government’s official response is awaited…..

R wrld 2 Consultation on a Draft Strategy for Children & Young People in Northern Ireland. “Our vision is of a peaceful, inclusive, prosperous, stable and fair society, firmly founded on the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance and mutual trust and the protection and vindication of human rights for all…. Central to our vision for the future must be a focus on our young people. On their development lies our future and we need to ensure that our policies and programmes take account of their needs” The Belfast Agreement In January 2001, the then Northern Ireland Executive, decided to put in place a long-term strategy for children and young people. This delighted the children’s sector as it highlighted an increased awareness of the role that children and young people actually have in our society. The aims of the strategy also identified a desire to put in place measures to ensure that: • Children & Young people’s rights are recognised & promoted • That their contribution is encouraged and enabled; and • That their best interests are safeguarded The draft strategy is now available for consultation and discussion and PlayBoard would urge all of you who are interested in promoting the rights and best interests of children and young people, to respond to the strategy. PlayBoard is organising four consultation events in February 2005 with children and young people 4-14 on the Draft Strategy and Single Equality Bill for the Children and Young Peoples Unit (OFMDFM). Further information and a copy of the draft strategy can be obtained at www.allchildrenni.gov.uk A young person’s version is also available. Children and young people under 18 years of age make up approximately one quarter of the population in Northern Ireland. Over one third of all households include children; yet there is a general consensus that not enough is known about their lives. In part this is due to gaps in both comprehensive statistical information and qualitative research. The strategy needs to address these shortcomings. (Taken from r wrld 2)

Finance Department

Training & Quality Department

Behind every successful project within PlayBoard is the support and expertise of the finance department. This small team ensures that all PlayBoards income and expenditure (internally and externally) is fully accounted for and managed stringently. The finance department assists the Chief Executive, the Board of Directors and Project Team Leaders to identify, apply to and monitor sources of income for the organization and its members.

The training department within PlayBoard has had another busy year and continues to be guided by the following playwork values:

PlayBoards Finance & Monitoring Team have been recognised as one of the top performing IFBs by the SEUPB, the Managing Authority, being ranked 1st of 44 IFBs in terms of delivery (includes commitment and spend of grant funding) and ranked 5th of 44 in terms of services (includes population of database, certification of expenditure, Article 4 visits and returns to the Managing Authority). The Finance & Monitoring Team, who work across Northern Ireland, carry out project site visits to vouch expenditure, verify audit trails and monitor compliance targets. They also assist projects with grant applications, facilitate finance workshops and deliver on site training. A large and very valuable part of their work is liaising and dealing with project queries and correspondence. The team is also involved in the preparation of grant payments, returns, reports and forecasts to the SEUPB and the upkeep of grant database systems. The team has represented PlayBoard at IFB and Implementation and Forum meetings. Congratulations to Ruth and Sonia on the safe delivery of their baby girls!

Playwork Values Child-centred Process Not controlled by Adults The Right to Play Safely Care and Consideration Extending Experience The Legislative Framework

Empowerment Stimulation and Challenge Individual Respect Equal Opportunity Co-operation An Accessible Environment

Under the direction of the Training & Quality Manager PlayBoard’s Quality Assurance Scheme – Pathways to Excellence is now being accessed throughout the Province. The scheme which was launched last year illustrates a commitment to quality within the Playcare sector and is being used as a self-assessment quality tool within play settings. A number of projects are well on their way to becoming the first to present their quality portfolio’s to the Selection Panel which has been set up to ensure Transparency and Standardisation across the board. Two levels of quality can be achieved and mentoring and support is part of the process. PlayBoard looks forward to presenting the first Quality awards in 2005. The following courses continue to be available and PlayBoard is keen to hear from you if you have training needs. Specific sessions can be tailor made to suit your needs. • What is Play? • Programme Planning • Equal Opportunities • Practical Activities • Child Protection • The Role of the Playworker • Promoting Positive Relationships • Fit for Play • Basic administration • Quality assurance – Pathways to Excellence • Play for All (OCN Level 2)

In addition three new training courses have been launched this year:

ADDRESSING DISABILITY IN PLAYWORK • • •

Games Not Names for All. Addressing Disability in Playwork. Play Development Training.

Addressing Disability is an innovative training programme that encourages practitioners to consider the implications of Inclusion. Practical activities are provided that seek to highlight and address those barriers that may exist in the development of an Inclusive Play Environment

GAMES NOT NAMES FOR ALL Games not Names for All is designed to encourage practitioners to reflect upon and examine the values that underpin and inform their play provision. Delivered using a play focus, practitioners are offered a safe environment to develop anti-discriminatory practice and to become aware of relevant legislation. AIM: To provide Playworkers with the space and time to explore the impact of unfair discrimination and bias on Play and Playwork

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES: • To examine language, myths and stereotypes within the context of antidiscriminatory and anti-bias practice • To provide an overview of relevant key legislation that underpins quality Playwork and childcare practice • To explore the different modes of communication and how these inform and influence children’s environments • To highlight the importance of Play to children’s holistic development and introduce participants to the language of Playwork • To engage in practical activities, including programme planning, that embrace and reflect anti-discriminatory and anti-bias practice • To introduce a framework of an Equity, Diversity and Interdependence framework for policy development • To evaluate the impact of the programme on registered provision

PLAY DEVELOPMENT TRAINING This new programme reflects recent developments within the field of Playwork and examines the following practice areas: What is Play The Role of the Playworker Programme Planning The role of the Co-ordinator

NVQ’s….an update! PlayBoard is a City & Guilds registered training centre. PlayBoard is committed to the development of a professional and well- trained Playwork workforce. We recognise the value of competence based training and qualifications including NVQs. If you are a qualified assessor and/or internal verifier with Playwork experience, PlayBoard would love to hear from you as we are attempting to establish a more robust infrastructure. Creative Computers PlayBoard, working in partnership with 4Children, Scottish Out of School Network and Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs and sponsored by Marks and Spencer, were delighted to offer groups across the country the opportunity to apply for a new computer. Using an application process each country allocated a total of 25 computers. The application forms asked how the group would benefit from a new computer and to explain how having access to this resource would enhance and enrich children’s experiences.

Over 70 clubs across Northern Ireland entered the competition and their reasons for applying were as diverse as the children who use the clubs. PlayBoard was particularly pleased to read that so many clubs had actively engaged in consultation with their children and had subsequently chosen to include these comments in their application forms. The following quotes are taken from some of the successful applications and reflect the children's thoughts about the potential benefits that having access to a computer would bring to their club: "I like to paint and our old one is broke" "I will help set it up cos I'm best at computers" "To have our own computer that nobody could touch!" "We could design our own comic and newsletter" "We could speak to other children around the world" "We could play computer games that help us learn or just to have fun!" "To send emails to our friends in China" "If we had a computer in our club more children would attend it!" "If we had a digital camera we could take interesting pictures and promote our club in our community" In general terms the staff in the clubs recognised the positive impact that additional IT support could offer. The majority of comments centred around the development of more effective recording and monitoring systems and the storage of important data. There were some expectations that the supporting software package may provide some assistance with this aspect of their work. PlayBoard would like to take this opportunity to extend thanks to Marks & Spencer for sponsoring such a worthwhile competition and to 4Children for their facilitation of the project. We would also like to congratulate all the clubs who were successful in their applications. Happy computing!!! • Clonard Out of School Hours Project Belfast • The Playcentre Londonderry • Ashton Community Trust Afterschool Club Belfast • Gort Kids After School Clubs Cookstown • 174 Trust Playcare Project Belfast • Pips Kids Club Portaferry • Link Afterschool Cookstown • Drumellan Children & Young People Centre Belfast • Society of St Vincent de Paul Belfast • Cumann Larscoile An Droichead Belfast • Careers’n’Kids inc. LTD Belfast

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Ballygawley Early Years Ltd Dungannon LCDI After School Club Limavady The Vine Centre Belfast Glencraig After School Club Holywood Galbally Out of School Club Dungannon The Nest After Schools Claudy Dromore Cross Community After School Club Dromore BeesNees Early Years Centre Newtownards Manor Street/ Cliftonville Community Group Belfast Chinese Welfare Association After School Club Belfast Kidz Lodge Londonderry Woodland Adventure Augher BT 36 Travellers Belfast

PlayBoard Training Facilities Training Suite A large, bright, airy room ideal for large group sessions. Members £35 per session. Non-members £45 per session. Morning, Afternoon & Evening Sessions are available. Maximum 60 participants. Board Room A smaller function room which can cater for a maximum 15 participants. £10 per hour All prices include full use of training equipment: Flip Chart Data Projector & Screen TV & Video Recorder Overhead Projector Tea/Coffee and a range of menus are available on request. PlayBoard has fully accessible disabled facilities. Extensive NCP car parking facilities are adjacent to the building. Bookings for all facilities can be made by contacting PlayBoard: Tel: 028 9080 3380 Fax: 028 9080 3381

Fit for Play Quality Award The Fit for Play Quality Award was launched earlier this year and is causing a stir of excitement within the Playwork sector. The Fit for Play Award can be obtained once a project is deemed “Fit for Play”. The award has been designed to help tackle the obesity crisis which is affecting the children in today’s society. PlayBoard believes that by giving children opportunities to enjoy physical and outdoor play we are helping to prevent heart disease and health related problems in later life. The programme which integrates physical activity and nutrition fully supports and promotes the development of healthy lifestyles amongst our children. In order to achieve an award play projects must complete three modules – Out 2 Play, Top Play/Active Clubs and Food 4 Play. Fit for Play Training and Development Officers are available to assist groups who wish to obtain this award.

Out 2 Play “By doing the practical things made me realise the full benefits of play and how it teaches us to risk assess and be more adventurous!”

physical play. It looks at children’s physical play behaviour, playwork environments and playwork practice within individual settings. Training sessions allow participants to participate in a mixture of practical experiences, reflection exercises and discussion. Top Play/Active Clubs This one session training focuses on physical activity and promotes the message that children need an hour of physical activity per day to stay healthy. Food 4 Play PlayBoard believes that children’s ability to play is among other things dependant on what they eat or drink. Food 4 Play has been developed in partnership with the Health Promotion Agency and Community Dieticians and it gives playworkers ideas and experiences in preparing healthy snacks for children. The training focuses on the importance of healthy eating and looks at issues such as: children’s participation in the preparation of healthy snacks and food hygiene. Some feedback from the piloting of the Food 4 Play training in Ballygawley:

“Increased thinking about food that I would never have dreamt of giving the kids” “I will try to provide a range of fruit for the children, as I now realise how beneficial it is.”

“It was such an interesting and well presented course. I have learnt so much more and am so much more aware of how important it is for children to be out doors and not sitting at tv and computer games. Thank you so much” The two comments above, taken from participants’ feedback forms, highlight the success of the Out 2 Play training module. This year 68 projects have accessed this 8 session training course which aims to improve the skills amongst playworkers for the promotion of outdoor

The PlayCare Initiative

The funding Campaign

The PlayCare Initiative which is now in its ninth year continues to deliver high quality, childcentred, PlayCare provision across Northern Ireland. The initiative is funded under Measure 1.5 Economic renewal – Positive Action for Women, EU programme for Peace & Reconciliation. Currently 91 projects are being supported by the PlayCare Initiative. The PlayCare Team who have had a challenging year provide a comprehensive support service for projects across Northern Ireland and activities include: • • • • •

Development, Support & Advice (capacity building ,staffing issues, policy development, recruitment & selection, cross community networks) Quality Assurance Training Representation at relevant forums Lobbying on behalf of the sector

This year has seen the launch of the ‘Policy Delivery through PlayCare’ document, which provides a regional analysis on the shortfall of funding required to sustain out of School PlayCare provision in Northern Ireland (available from Website). The PlayCare initiative is the only Peace Project in Northern Ireland which commissioned an external evaluation at the outset. Watch out for DVD highlights in 2005. The team continues to represent YOU (PlayBoard Members) at relevant forums including ChildCare Partnerships, District Childcare Partnerships, NIAP, Rural Community Network, and Strategic Funding Panels. The team would urge YOU to attend Cluster Group Meetings in your area to discuss relevant issues and help us in the lobby for the provision of quality play provision across Northern Ireland.

Pathways to PlayCare Toolkit The PlayCare Team has developed a ‘Play Box’. The Play Box offers high quality resources including policies & procedures, recruitment and selection guidance, business plans and staff appraisal formats. Included in the box are also essential documents such as a register, an accident & incident book and a finance manual. All contents have been mapped against the new Minimum Standards for the Registration and Inspection of Out of School Care 2005. The box is a MUST for all Out of School PlayCare Provision and can be purchased from PlayBoard. Contact Lisa O’Connor.

Out of School Hours Learning Project

PlaySpace Project and Reclaiming PlaySpace

The Out of School Hours Learning project which was launched by PlayBoard in 2002 is continuing to be successful in offering children across Northern Ireland the opportunity to play and learn in fun-filled environments.

The purpose of the PlaySpace project is, ‘to provide state of the art green space play facilities for all children to play together, facilitated by Playworkers’. The Play for Peace Fund which supports this project has made three awards this year to Speedwell Trust, Peace through Music and Reclaiming PlaySpace.

Children attending take part in activities such as dance, music, local history, IT, sport and games, circus skills, cookery, and drama.

The Reclaiming PlaySpace Initiative aims to develop safe outdoor play provision for children aged 4 – 12 years old in deprived areas. Working in partnership with Belfast City Council initially it is anticipated that play opportunities will be facilitated outdoors in parks, open spaces and other outdoor play areas. The project will engage with a further four District Councils to create a best practice model for District Councils throughout Northern Ireland.

Out of School Hours Learning Projects: Glen Parent & Youth Group Belfast Travellers Support Group Manor Street Focus on Family

Strathroy Afterschools (OOSHL) Forever Friends Sunnyside Afterschools

The Play Projects and their associated primary schools work in partnership to deliver high quality FUN activities for the children, and the impact and feedback on the service has been amazing. Approximately 1000 children have taken part in the project so far and playworkers and teachers are working hard to ensure that the children’s voices are being heard and that their views and suggestions are being listened to.

I love coming here – I get to meet all my friends.

I like it here cause of th games we e play. I like the arts & crafts an d I like the leaders.

We play. arn!. o t t e le We g I love to . t n pai

Children from all the projects are taking part in ‘Away Days’ (fun days out in various venues) which gives them the opportunity to come together and develop friendships. These friendships are then maintained through an email link-up. A weekend residential has been organised for summer 2005 and children will be planning activities for the weekend early in the New Year! So, watch this space!

Fit Futures

National Playday 2004- Families at Play

Importance of Physical Play Conference

PlayBoard hosted a National Playday event at the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, at Oxford Island. Over 500 children, parents and Playworkers took part in the fun activities. Live TV and radio broadcast helped promote the serious message of the day, that a key role of the family is providing children with good Play opportunities.

This Conference was hosted by PlayBoard and All Play Agencies in June. The conference highlighted the need for Play opportunities and Play equipment which promotes inclusion, appropriate risk taking and a wide range of physical activity. It is essential that Play provision fosters the child’s wellbeing, healthy growth and development, knowledge and understanding, creativity and capacity to learn. Key Topics: • Play Deprivation & the Legacy of Conflict in Northern Ireland • Play Accessibility, Inclusive Play and Appropriate Risk • Fit for Play Project • The Importance of Physical Play for Children’s Development

“It was fab! Thank you PlayBoard” Child aged 10 The theme for PlayDay 05 will be Fit for Play and in true PlayBoard style - we are setting ourselves the task of making it even bigger and better! So see you at Oxford Island on 3rd August 2005!

lin(childrens ft: Teresa Dev le om fr ce en cKee (All Play e Confer sett UK), Jill M Speakers at th ap (L D M t en G in Sutcliffe ppset UK, Rob s office), David La of r f ne w O o commissioner ter Blair, Chie nna Ikaheim arguerite Hun M d an Agencies), Joha ) ay rd Pl yBoa ) tor (Sutcliffe Executive (Pla Managing Direc

Funders and Sponsors Youth Council for NI Department of Employment and Learning Proteus Childcare Partnerships Member fees EUSSPPR EU Programme for Peace & Reconciliation New Opportunities Fund, The Big Lottery Community Foundation NI The Childhood Fund Sports Council NI Zurich Esmee Fairbairn Marks and Spencer Royal Mail

‘Play for Peace Fund’ - Chairman Robert Buxton The Monument Trust The Weinberg Foundation Lady Belmore Peter Moores Foundation The Northern Rock Foundation First Trust Bank AIF - John Loeb Judith Chiara/Wm & Sandra Bertsch AIF 200 grant round Ireland Fund of Canada AIF Chairmans Discretionary, Grant Fair The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust AIF - Donahue Family Foundation Lionel Wigram Memorial Trust

Contact Details PlayBoard (Head Office) 59-65 York Street Belfast BT15 1AA Tel: 028 9080 3380 Fax: 028 9080 3381

PlayBoard (Irvinestown Office) Market Yard Mill Street Irvinestown BT94 4GR Tel/Fax: 028 6862 8825

PlayBoard (Armagh Office) 1 College Street Armagh BT61 9BT Tel: 028 3752 2330

PlayBoard Website: www.playboard.org

All rights reserved. No parts of these publications may be copied or used without the express permission of PlayBoard. Exception is made, for authorised persons only. Further information on this subject may be obtained from PlayBoard Published by PlayBoard, 59-65 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AA Tel: 028 9080 3380 Fax: 028 9080 3381 Email: information@playboard.co.uk Website: www.playboard.org PlayBoard is a Registered Charity X0139/90 PlayBoard is a Limited Company by Guarantee No. 30225

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