• Clever signposting tells kids where they can find a playground or park that has the real life version
•Can be played as a standalone game
14 The Next Generation strategy
ukactive’s new strategy aims to create positive environments that encourage and facilitate children and young people to take part in physical activity
16 Viewpoint: Eugene Minogue
The Executive Director of Play England, outlines why it’s vital that the new government urgently addresses the decline in children’s play
22 Column: Play Scotland
Marguerite Hunter Blair, CEO: young people need time, permission and space to play and hang out
24 Creating social value
Marco Boi, Founder of Play Innovation, explains why creating play experiences is fundamentally important to getting people of all ages more active
28 Data and insight
A partnership project has changed the way in which data and insight is used to devise new approaches to delivering play
John Challinor
Publisher
PlayNation
john@sportsnation.org.uk
Contributors
Eugene Minogue Executive Director
Play England @ EugeneMinogue Marco Boi Founder Play Innovation @ playinnovation Tom Walker Editor
Huw
PlayNation UK
The importance of play and physical activity for young people
PlayNation, in partnership with Play England and SAPCA (the Sports And Play Construction Association), is dedicated exclusively to the dynamic and growing sector of play and physical activity for children and young people. Published bi-monthly, the magazine focuses on the policies, people and places that help young people to play and be more active. Subscribe now and we will email you a complimentary copy of the magazine every two months.
PlayNation is published by SportsNation Ltd in association with Play England (www.playengland.org.uk) and the Sports And Play Construction Association (www.sapca.org.uk)
This publication is protected by copyright and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in any print or electronic format without the written permission of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this publication and PlayNation accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation. Opinions expressed by the contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher and we do not accept responsibility of losses or damages arising from them.
Review of the National Occupational Standards for Playwork
Play England has announced that the UK Playwork NOS Consortium has approved to take forward a Review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for playwork.
The UK Playwork NOS Consortium comprises Play Wales, Play Scotland, PlayBoard NI, Play England and The Playwork Foundation. The Consortium has been meeting since October 2021 and was established to plan strategically across the four nations for the future of workforce development and sector skills initiatives, including a future review of the NOS.
Since that time the consortium has undertaken preparatory work towards the NOS review. The works included commissioning a scoping exercise to establish the use of NOS across the UK, particularly in relation to NOS within qualifications to work in regulated playwork settings. Over the coming months the UK Playwork
NOS Consortium will be recruiting members of a writing group to undertake the work of reviewing and drafting the new standards.
The review will be supported by Expert Reference Groups, which will also be openly recruited
to, and include representatives from; open access playwork, out of school childcare, further education, higher education, awarding bodies and allied sectors.
The final NOS is set to be published in Autumn 2025.
New play area at Standalone Farm makes a splash
A new interactive water play area has opened at popular Hertfordshire attraction, Standalone Farm. Set into stone cobbles, the space features pumps, water channels and dam gates, and offers an educational and entertaining new way to have fun on the farm.
The water play is the latest part
of a collaborative development between Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation who own and operate Standalone Farm and ResilienTogether.
ResilienTogether is a collaborative project that brings together a range of partners, including Central Bedfordshire Council.
The draft NOS is planned for Summer 2025
PHOTO: PLAY ENGLAND
Children will be able to explore the effects of water
Play Innovation delivers MUGA for Denmead Parish Council
Play Innovation designed and constructed a new multi-use games area (MUGA) in Denmead, Waterlooville. The project also included the delivery of a range of Play Innovation’s patented target games – Street Snooker, Goal Master, Crossbar King and Corner Skills.
Located in Ashling Park, Southwick Road, Denmead, the MUGA was delivered for Denmead Parish Council following a public consultation, which gauged the residents’ wishes for what the new activity space should include.
The council consulted the village to ask what sports people wanted to see there and, as a result, the new facility provides space to play netball, basketball, 5-a-side football, hockey and handball.
After a detailed tender exercise, the Council employed specialist contractor and SAPCA member, Play Innovation to build the games area.
Finance for the project came from council reserves and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding from development in the parish.
Chair of Denmead Parish Council, Paula Langford-Smith said: “It’s been many years since a project of this scale has been
undertaken by the council and we’re delighted to deliver such an amazing facility for the village.
“It has been a significant investment for us and I’m pleased to report that it has been delivered on time and within budget which has been an amazing team effort.”
Rossendale’s Victoria Park set for revamp
The project is expected to reach its final stages by late 2024
Rossendale Borough Council (RBC) has unveiled plans for a major upgrade to the wheeled sports facility at Victoria Park. The plans come from feedback received during a Masterplan consultation process, which highlighted the need to replace the outdated equipment with a modern facility.
The works will see the creation of a new concrete structure designed to cater to wheeled sports and play enthusiasts of all ages, disciplines and abilities. The project aims to revitalise the park and provide a first-class facility for the community.
The improvements will be funded through a combination of sources, including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSP) and RBC funding.
The Council have worked in partnership with Proffitts - Investing in Communities on the project.
The MUGA features target games and corner skills areas
New play ground in Essex mixes play and fitness
The newly enhanced Ramsey Road Recreational Ground in Halstead, Essex, has opened for family-fun and fitness.
The new area includes a modern skatepark, an expanded play area with accessible equipment for young children, relaxing hammocks for older children and a modern outdoor gym.
The upgrades were made possible through Section 106 funding secured through the planning process by Braintree District Council from the developer of Oak Road. Braintree District Council
continues to utilise and negotiate Section 106 funding from housing developments to benefit communities across the district. The project was guided by extensive community engagement, including focus groups to ensure the new facilities met the needs of residents of all ages.
Councillor Tom Cunningham, said: “These long-awaited improvements reflect our dedication to enhancing the quality of life for our residents. Thank you to everyone who participated in the consultation.”
Rugeley play area to get £142k revamp
Cannock Chase District Council has approved a £141,770 project to redevelop the play area on Flaxley Road in Rugeley.
The plan is part of the council’s ongoing multiyear scheme to improve play spaces across the district.
The council plans to include the installation of new accessible play equipment, the creation of a circular walkway for walking and cycling, benches and bins and the planting of trees and hedges to enhance the site’s natural environment and contribute to the Council’s climate change efforts.
The Pear Tree estate play area, on Rugeley’s Pear Tree estate, dates to 1997 and is in need of a renovation following a spree of vandalism and anti-social behaviour, leading to the site being closed for a number of the past months.
The project will be financed through existing S106 contributions from developers.
Wicksteed launches range of equipment inspired by children
Play equipment specialist, Wicksteed, has launched its latest product line.
The Metroplex Range is inspired by Mia, the 11-yearold winner of Wicksteed Park’s Playground Design Competition. Her “Beanstalk Dream” design has been converted into a versatile
range that captures her imaginative spirit. Offering “immense play value” within a small footprint, the collection has been designed for maximising fun in compact spaces.
The Metroplex Range encourages exploration and creativity, staying true to Mia’s vision while providing dynamic play opportunities.
One of the Metroplex play products
Mayor of Halstead, Councillor Andy Munday (middle) at the opening
Accessible play equipment installed in Rye
NEW accessible play equipment has been installed at the Fair Salts play area in Rye to help improve access for children with mobility issues.
The new equipment, provided by Rother District Council, includes a new wheelchair accessible roundabout, play panels and an inclusive seesaw. All the new equipment is accessible to wheelchairs directly from the playground’s main path.
Additional short pathways to improve access to more of the equipment have also been created between the new roundabout and the existing multi-play climbing frame as well as from the new seesaw to the swings.
The council considered two options at the end of last year for the playground improvements.
Residents were invited to vote for their preferred proposal, and the design from leading outdoor play
company KOMPAN was the chosen option. The new play apparatus has been designed to be as barrier free as possible to ensure all children can use the equipment easily.
The play area has a wide range of equipment from toddler swings and spring animals for younger visitors
to an aerial skate unit and climbing unit for older children and teenagers. Rother District Council maintains more than 30 public outdoor play facilities.
Councillor Hazel Timpe said: “Every child should be able to experience the joy of playing.”
Butlin’s opens SKYPARK - Minehead
Holiday park operator, Butlin’s, opened a £2.5million inclusive, interactive, illuminated SKYPARK at its Minehead property earlier this year.
Delivered by Jupiter Play, the new area features six zones spread across two play areas, ensuring that children of all abilities can enjoy the fun together.
With interactive play, sensory zones, wheelchair trampolines, an inclusive seesaw and accessible swings on the UK’s longest swingline, the SKYPARK has been designed to represent the “ideal template for accessibility and inclusion”.
Michael Hoenigmann, MD, Jupiter Play & Leisure, said: “Seeing a playground on this scale with so many different experiences and things to do is amazing. It was one of the biggest projects that we’ve ever delivered.”
The new play equipment has been designed to be barrier free
PHOTO:
The large are focuses on inclusive play
PHOTO:
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Basingstoke play areas set for major refurbishment
Five more play areas are to undergo a major makeover as part of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s commitment to ensure play areas are inclusive, well maintained and fun places for families.
The council will invest £480,000 through its play area refurbishment programme to replace the play areas at Sidlaw Close in Kempshott and Buckskin ward, Upper Sherborne Road in the Norden ward and Roseberry Close in Hatch Warren and Beggarwood. The play areas at Abbey Road in Popley and Fennel Close in Chineham are also being refurbished through the programme.
Local people were asked to give their views on the type of play equipment they would like to see at each area through an online survey. The feedback will now be used to help shape the design of the play areas. The consultation on these five play areas, follows hot on
Around £480,000 will be invested in improving play
the heels of the completion of the refurbishment of Hatch Warren Park and Mathias Walk in Brighton Hill, Moorhams Avenue in Hatch Warren and Oakfields Close in Ecchinswell.
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing Cllr Laura James said: “Providing our children
with free access to inclusive play equipment is so important for families’ physical and mental wellbeing. We have over 150 play areas across the borough and we are investing more to manage these places for play to meet the needs and aspirations of our residents.”
Inclusive play area opens at children’s hospice
Play and sports area manufacturer Proludic has successfully designed and installed a fully inclusive play space for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
It provides EACH with a welcoming space for the children in their care to enjoy, while offering respite and bonding opportunities for their parents and carers. Asked to create a safe, accessible, and contemporary environment, Proludic worked closely with EACH to ensure the play area met the diverse needs of children, so a range of disabilities and life-limiting conditions were catered for.
The design features carefully selected play equipment and a colourful wetpour-designed surfacing featuring vibrant geometric shapes to provide a visually stimulating sensory experience.
PHOTO: PIXABAY
Proludic worked with EACH on the design
PHOTO: PROLUDIC
Keeping children active starts with a run & jump
Jon Bell, Managing Director at Synthetic Turf Management (STM), explains how the company uses creativity to provide sports and play surfaces which are designed around physical education
As a physical education teacher with a background in athletics, I found that teaching started with the basic fundamentals of athletics and the building blocks of running and jumping. Formal athletics is a great starting place and a forerunner to other team sports.
However, I found that many teachers had a misconception about teaching basic movement skills and that unless the 8-lane athletic track was on the school field, lessons would naturally refer back to football and netball. Athletics, as it were, was always limited to summer.
The other challenge for the teaching of fundamentals of athletics was that the majority of primary school playgrounds today are marked out with full size netball, basketball and tennis markings. In my view, this limits all of Key Stage 1 and most of Key Stage 2 in terms of understanding and using the markings for individual and team games. It also limits the success rate of children – which in turn can affect how they feel about sports in general.
Over the past 15 years, having the opportunity to work with schools, Synthetic Turf Management has focused on delivering surfaces that are designed around physical education. We have done this by introducing tracks, grid systems and basic themes that incorporate warm ups, running, sprinting, hurdling, jumping and throwing. Even our early years foundation stage (EYFS) markings encourage children under five to develop basic movement skills.
Our “Educational Play in Colour” (EPIC) playgrounds transform a dull yard into a colourful, safe, fully inclusive, year-round space that does not limit children to just competitive team games.
The combination of tracks into MUGAs invites everyday playtime activities as well as including markings such at netball. Using our (EPIC) sand-dressed 18mm generic hockey surface with a pad system allows for athletics, tennis, netball, football and general multi-sport. The benefit is the soft but durable surface with nondirectional pile ensuring minimal ball deviation.
At Synthetic Turf Management, we understand sports facilities are not limited to green rectangles. With creativity teachers can introduce all children into athletics and sport at an early age. If you would like further information contact 01642 713555 info@stmworld.co.uk
Bader Primary School, Stockton on Tees
NEWS REPORT PlayNation uk
ukactive launches
‘Next Generation’ strategy
Physical activity industry body, ukactive, has launched its ‘Next Generation’ strategy for investing in the future of children and young people’s physical activity levels.
The strategy will seek to better understand the needs and demands of children and young people to support operators in encouraging participation in physical activity, as well ensuring children and young people are welcomed safely into facilities.
It will also seek to foster greater collaboration with industry partners to strengthen connections with schools and wider community provision, as well as supporting existing partner calls, including those from the Youth Sport Trust on the elevation of PE in school.
The launch of the strategy coincides with the publication of research by ukactive which shows how 40% of children want to be more physically active than they currently are – but some report spending six hours a day glued to their devices when not at school.
Based on a survey of more than 1,000 children and young people aged seven to 14, conducted
with kids and family insight agency, Beano Brain, the research also showed how more than half of young people (53%) are using screens for more than three hours each day when not in school, with almost a quarter (24%) of 11 to 14-year-olds spending more than six hours a day on devices.
Almost a third (30%) of children and young people said they prefer to be physically active but not as part of a competition.
Girls in particular said being active with people they knew was very important (69%). They also valued having a supportive coach (51%).
Wanting to be more active
Encouragingly, only 26% of children sampled said they’d want to be on a screen, over taking part in physical activity and 40% said that they want to be more physically active than they currently are.
The research also shows that spending time on screens increases as children get older, but their time being active does not. Over a third (35%) say they do just half an hour or less of activity a day (outside of school time), with one in 10 saying they do just a few minutes. The Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines for children aged five to 18 recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity a day.
The survey also asked children and young people what helps them enjoy physical activity.
Huw Edwards, CEO, ukactive
In their responses, the young people responded as follows:
l Doing physical activity with friends or people I know – 63%
l Wearing my own choice of clothes – 49%
l When the coach or teacher is friendly and supportive – 46%
l When it’s not too serious – 43%
l Being in a place I am familiar with – 42%
Additionally, almost a third (30%) of children and young people said they prefer to be physically active but not as part of a competition. Overall, 34% of children and young people said having someone organise physical activity properly helps them to enjoy it more.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “Children and young people are telling us they want to be more active and that they really value fun and varied activities in familiar, supported environments. As sedentary screen time and mental health
issues grow, the government must take a new policy approach if it is to help create a generation of happy, healthy children focusing on the essential role of our nation’s gyms, pools and leisure centres in helping the health and wellbeing of the youngest in our society. Our Next Generation strategy will help our members to engage one million more children and young people across the UK by 2030, with updated guidance and regular insights to improve our services.”
Stephanie Peacock, Sports Minister, said: “Grassroots sport has the potential to transform lives, which is why we are building and upgrading thousands of multisport facilities to help you get active wherever you live.
“Alongside this, we have launched a review of the school curriculum designed to ensure that sport is not just the preserve of a privileged few.
“We all have a role to play in getting the nation moving, so I welcome this contribution from ukactive which provides a clear direction for the sector to create opportunities for children and young people to enjoy the benefits of physical activity.”
A third of children and young people said having someone organise physical activity properly helps them to enjoy it more
The Importance of Play
Eugene Minogue,
Executive Director
of Play England, outlines why it’s vitally important that the new government urgently addresses the decline in children’s play
nce upon a time … children had the freedom to play!
Like me, I imagine many of you reading this grew up before the 1990sand I am sure you have very fond memories of playing with friends and family, freely in the street where you lived, your local park, your school, your adventure playground, and your wider community. Arguably, we were the last generation that had the freedom to play, as the decline of play-based childhood began in the 1980s and accelerated in the 1990s.
many barriers to play. As freedom and opportunities to play have declined, so has their physical and mental health as a result. Despite robust evidence highlighting the multiple benefits of play, the UK Government has consistently overlooked the issue – urgent action is now required if we are to ensure children and young people are able to fully realise their right and freedom to play.
As you will know from your own childhood, play is vital for all children. It is the main way children enjoy their daily lives, make friends, and learn about the world around them. Through play, children develop social, physical, and cognitive skills, creativity, cultural awareness and resilience. They learn to manage and benefit from risks, make decisions and develop their identities. Play is essential for happy, healthy, capable and resilient children. However, children today are experiencing
The planning system in England fails to protect, enhance or provide spaces and places that support children’s health, development and wellbeing. In too many towns and cities, traffic-dominated neighbourhoods, low quality housing layouts, inadequate facilities, and poorly designed housing estates, along with a lack of parks and green spaces, harm children’s wellbeing, undermine their quality of life and deprive them of critical infrastructure that they need.
Many of the problems set out above have multiple causes. However, foremost amongst them are the failures in the current planning system. In England, children are all but ignored
Play is crucial for the healthy development of children and young people
within the national planning policy framework (NPPF). For example, the 2021 NPPF makes only one single mention of children. Currently, no other planning guidance addresses children explicitly. By contrast, bats and newts are amongst the species covered by national planning guidance.
This was raised and discussed at length during the recent Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Commons Select Committee inquiry on Children, Young People and the Built Environment. This subject has never previously been the focus of a select committee inquiry and has never been more needed.
The inquiry received 132 submissions of written evidence from various cross-sector organisations and experts. The submissions are stark, compelling, and powerful in demonstrating the need for change.
Unfortunately, due to the Dissolution of Parliament on 30 May 2024, all committees ceased to exist. As such, there is no guarantee that a committee report and/or a government
Together, we can deliver transformational change and secure a legacy for our future generations by giving children their childhood back
response will be published. Therefore, we have written to the new Chair of Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) select committee, Florence Eshalomi MP, to request that the new committee consider re-opening the inquiry and publish a report – and for the government to respond and act on the recommendations.
A recommendation from the Select Committee inquiry to introduce ‘Play Sufficiency’ legislation would provide a powerful and a high-profile catalyst for much needed meaningful change in England.
There are nearly 12 million children living in England, yet they have no effective voice within, or mechanism for influencing, the current planning system. Therefore, Play England are calling for meaningful change within England’s planning system as part of the government’s legislative programme set out in the King’s Speech, through the introduction of play sufficiency legislation (as part of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill) and a new national play strategy as part of the Children’s Wellbeing Bill.
WOLFGANG
Play Sufficiency Legislation
The introduction of Play Sufficiency legislation in England (as set out in our manifesto) would ensure that all children, young people, and families have access to enough time, space, opportunity, and permission to play and recreation throughout all aspects of their daily lives. It would protect, provide, and enhance opportunities for play and recreation at home, at school, in parks and public spaces.
Legislation should cover (but not be limited to) the following three key areas:
1) Spaces and places - spaces and places for play and recreation.
2) Workforce - qualifications, registration, and regulation.
3) Provision - high-quality, inclusive play services.
An equivalent duty has been in place in Wales for over a decade, and in May 2023 a play sufficiency duty was introduced in Scotland, leaving England lagging behind.
A National Play Strategy
There has been no national play strategy in England since 2008, which was developed by the last Labour government, together with Play England. We, and sector partners, stand ready to support government in addressing the decline in children’s play by developing a new, cross departmental national play strategy. This strategy would ensure that play sufficiency legislation is brought into meaningful practice, and that England becomes a child-friendly country where all children have freedom to play at home, at school, in parks and public spaces.
Delivering these first steps will depend on bringing together governmental departments (MHCLG, DfE, DCMS, DHSC, and DfT) with national agencies, industry, stakeholders, and children (as we did in 2008) to ensure that the importance of play is recognised, valued, and protected across government and wider society. Together, we can deliver transformational change and secure a legacy for our future generations by giving children their childhood back.
Play companies are providing innovative ways to get children active
The importance of Play!
Play England campaigns for all children and young people to have freedom and space to play throughout childhood.
We work with national partners and other organisations with shared aims to raise awareness about the importance of play. We lobby government to make fundamental policy changes to protect and promote play, and encourage everyone who has an impact
on the lives of children and young people to recognise and plan for children’s play.
Play England has also built up considerable experience and resources to help support individuals and organisations that work in these particular areas:
Government
Local Authorities
Schools
Playwork
We need your support
The new UK government is making positive noises about understanding the importance of play. However, against this positive backdrop, Play England is suffering from a lack of funds to pay for our essential work campaigning for children’s right and freedom to play. Donate today to support our work. www.playengland.org.uk/donate
www.playengland.org.uk
The right to play
Marguerite Hunter Blair CEO
Play Scotland
Children and young people need time, permission and space to play and hang out
Children’s right to play was enshrined in Scots law this year, alongside their legal right to participate in planning. These major achievements have been hard won over many years and represent a game-changing opportunity to improve and expand children and young people’s play and recreation. Less welcome news is to be found in the 2024 Good Childhood Report which reveals that many young people are unhappy with their lives. Shamefully, in 2022 the UK’s 15-year-olds had the lowest average life satisfaction in Europe and the fifth highest rate of pupils reporting no physical exercise before or after school. Evidence consistently shows the positive benefits for children and young people of being outdoors and playing - taking part in games, sports, activities, dance or just meeting up - on their mental health and wellbeing. Every nation wants their young people to thrive but to achieve this they need to have a voice in shaping the communities in which they live, and time, permission and space to play and hang out. After the COVID 19 restrictions children in Scotland asked for a return to play, more play and better play. They
told Play Scotland that they had missed their friends, family, fun and freedom to play. But play remains a challenging social and spatial justice issue with inequalities and concerns for wellbeing continuing to rise. National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) is the national spatial strategy published in 2023. It recognises that there are significant health inequalities in Scotland and that the natural environment is fundamental to everyone’s health and wellbeing. Key policy areas support children’s inclusion and wellbeing, and facilitate spaces and opportunities for play, recreation and sport in the natural and built environments. These policy areas are further supported by Play Sufficiency Assessment Regulations 2023 which require planning authorities to assess the sufficiency of play opportunities for children when preparing an evidence report to inform the making of local development plans. The Planning Sufficiency Assessment (PSA) regulations cover children and young people of all ages and must take account of spaces for girls and boys, children with disabilities and other protected characteristics, and children from deprived communities. The aim is to ensure children’s need for outdoor play and spaces is taken account of in making local development
Play remains a challenging social and spatial justice issue
plans and that children are empowered to influence planning processes and decision making.
Recently over five and a half thousand young people in Glasgow across eighteen High Schools participated in the Play Sufficiency engagement process. The results from all the conversations and engagements are included in a Play Sufficiency Assessment Storymap. When asked about what play means, most young people said that play means having fun. Fun is seen as a positive form of connection, reduces stress and contributes to a positive outlook. It was clear that activities young people enjoy have a positive impact on their wellbeing. When playing, young people reported they feel calm, relaxed, and able to escape from school stress. Play was highly associated with
friends and this in turn shows the importance of social spaces. With a small amount of funding, Glasgow City Council now plans to co-create a space with young people to meet their needs and the design of the site will pay particular attention to what makes a good space for girls, who continue to report feeling unsafe and tend to withdraw from organized sport and recreation earlier than boys. The 2024 Good Childhood Report makes for grim reading, and it is time to take action to address the issues raised. Scotland’s ambition of ‘living well locally’ is a complex challenge. It is clear from our recent progress that engaging with children and young people in placemaking and planning for play is at the heart of better outcomes for everyone in our communities.
PHOTO:
Creating social value through innovative sport
and play areas for all ages
Marco Boi, Founder and CEO of Play Innovation, explains why creating play experiences is fundamentally
important to getting people of all ages more active
Play is a universal language that transcends age, background, and ability
When we envision the future of our communities, it’s easy to get caught up in the allure of advanced technologies, smart infrastructures and groundbreaking innovations. Yet, sometimes the most profound impact comes from reimagining the fundamental spaces that bring people together. Since its inception in 2010, Play Innovation has embodied this philosophy with its take on transforming traditional play areas into dynamic hubs of social interaction and physical activity for all ages and abilities. At its core, Play Innovation operates on a simple principle: play is a universal language that transcends age, background, and ability. By designing and building family-inclusive sport and play zones, environments are created where everyone – from toddlers to grandparents – can engage in informal, meaningful physical activity and social interaction. Like Play Innovation’s Director of Social Value, Libby Boi, puts it: “These aren’t just playgrounds and sports areas; they’re community epicentres that foster connection, understanding, and unity on top of tackling physical inactivity.”
Transforming communities
One of the most compelling outcomes of Play Innovation’s approach is the tangible reduction in physical inactivity, particularly in areas where a lack of access to engaging recreational spaces has previously limited opportunities for physical activity. Two examples of this can be seen in the London Boroughs of Newham and Hammersmith & Fulham, where the redevelopment of underused, deteriorating recreational spaces has encouraged families and young people to become more active. These vibrant, well-designed play and sport areas have not only significantly boosted levels of physical activity but have also fostered a stronger sense of community and well-being. The projects weren’t merely about installing new equipment; they were driven by our approach to rethink how we use historical and new data and other learnings from engaging with families and youth within our communities. We can’t be all things to all people, but involving a wide range of people in the design process is crucial. Take the way we design family inclusive play
PHOTO:
The goal is to provide those “WOW” moments wherever possible
areas, where we offer alternatives to negative behaviours and demonstrate trust and respect.
The goal is to provide those “WOW” moments wherever possible. Investing in high quality infrastructure demonstrates that the local authority or funder genuinely cares. It’s a proactive solution that addresses the root causes rather than just the symptoms.
A call to local authorities and housing associations
Investing in innovative play areas isn’t just a benevolent act – it’s a strategic move for longterm community development which provides a return of investment. By collaborating with suppliers in an intelligent way and listening with sincerity to community leaders, local authorities and housing associations have a unique opportunity to spearhead a transformation. By integrating Play Innovation’s concepts into community planning, they can address multiple objectives:
l Enhancing Social Cohesion: Family Inclusive play areas break down social barriers, encouraging interaction among diverse groups.
l Promoting Health and Well-being: Physical activity is essential for all ages, and these spaces make exercise accessible and enjoyable.
l Economic Benefits: Safer, more cohesive communities often see a boost in local economies, attracting businesses and increasing property values.
l Environmental Impact: Thoughtfully designed play areas can incorporate sustainable materials and green spaces, contributing to environmental goals.
Harnessing mobile technology to drive social value through innovative sport and play areas
Physical inactivity in the UK is a giant problem, costing the NHS billions. Sedentary lifestyles, the cost of living, lack of safe, free and inspiring recreational facilities and of course, mobile phones all play a part in the problem.
Back in 2016 Play Innovation beta tested a novel idea that today may be set to revolutionise school playgrounds and community spaces. Street Snooker, a fun ‘flick football’ mobile game with engaging game play and leaderboards, teaches players how to play the game whilst in the comfort of their own home, and then prompts them to go and play the ‘real life’ version in their local play park or school playground.
I believe that by harnessing the power of mobile phones in the right way, we can get more children active. I say this because during testing and consultation with children we identified that
PHOTO: PLYA INNOVATION
Play Innovation’s Director of Social Value, Libby Boi
eight out of 10 children would be more likely to go and try the version outside if they previously played Street Snooker on their phone.
Building the future together
As we strive towards creating better futures for our communities, it’s imperative to recognise the role of inclusive, engaging public spaces. They are the bedrock upon which strong, resilient communities are built. By investing in innovative projects, we aren’t just installing playgrounds – we’re laying the foundation for a more connected, compassionate society.
So let’s challenge ourselves to think differently about community development. Let’s prioritise initiatives that deliver social value, foster inclusion, and address societal challenges headon. The future isn’t just about technological advancements; it’s about improving the human experience in every neighbourhood, town, and city. By embracing innovative solutions, we can make strides toward a world where everyone has the opportunity to play, interact, and thrive together.
PHOTO: PLAY INNOVATION
The innovative target games encourage active, informal play
Corner Skills boards have been designed to utilise the “dead spaces” of MUGAs
A NUMBERS GAME
An innovative partnership project has dramatically changed the way in which data and insight is used to devise new approaches to delivering play services – and to make smarter decisions
Cambridge City Council (CCC) provides 103 play spaces (including skate parks) for its resident population of circa 150,000 people. It recently launched an innovative Play Space Provision project, which aimed to enhance the city’s play spaces in a more strategic way, using data and insight.
The Play Space Provision project looked to:
n Audit exactly what is currently provided at each location.
n Ensure that the play space provision aligns with the local community’s needs.
n Confirmed that the play space provision is designed to meet its intended purpose effectively.
n Develop a strategic vision for play space provision within the city.
n Gain an understanding of the investment and infrastructure requirements necessary to meet the play space facility needs.
Teaming up
To help with the process, the council partnered with SAPCA member, Passport365, following a detailed tender process. During the tender, Passport365 demonstrated its capability to address the council’s three principal objectives: assessing and evaluating play spaces, identifying sites for development or maintenance, and reducing operational costs while maintaining high-quality service delivery.
To align with these objectives, Passport365 constructed a seven-staged process that covered all aspects from raw data collection,
site surveys, and strategic assessments, to the creation of the final report.
One of the major outputs of Passport365’s involvement in the project was the creation of a comprehensive Business Intelligence (BI) dashboard. The dashboard contains, summarises, and analyses all the data collected on play spaces across Cambridge, forming the foundation for ongoing research and enabling CCC to continually expand and update their dataset. It serves as a pivotal tool for the council, enabling it to strategically plan for both the maintenance and development of these recreational areas.
The partnership resulted in the development of a strategic vision for play
This collaboration established a framework for ongoing evaluation and improvement, benefiting the community for years to come
Assessing and evaluating play spaces
The first objective involved assessing, evaluating, and providing recommendations for future service delivery. The project team collected existing information on play areas and conducted additional research using advanced digital tools, including dynamic reporting forms. Through Passport365’s app interface, CCC staff completed quantitative and qualitative site surveys, assessing the condition of equipment, amenities, and provisions across all parks and play spaces.
After gathering the data, Passport365 created a detailed workbook, categorising play facilities by ward. A four-tier hierarchy was established to provide insights into the current conditions and offerings of each site. This categorisation, coupled with a red-ambergreen (RAG) rating system, allowed CCC to classify sites based on their strategic importance and need for investment or maintenance. Red indicated non-strategic sites, amber signified important sites requiring improvements, and green marked strategically important sites.
Identifying sites for development and maintenance
To meet the second objective, Passport365 conducted a strategic review of the collected data, focusing on identifying gaps in provision and potential site rationalisation. The outcome was a thorough assessment that highlighted areas needing development and those suitable for maintenance or decommissioning.
The final insights were compiled into a Passport365 Business Intelligence (BI) Report, drawing in demographic data and census population insights alongside collected data. This interactive, real-time report provides CCC with information on age categories, population density and overlaps in provision, integrated with the RAG rating of play spaces. This helps CCC make informed decisions about where to allocate resources and which sites to prioritise for development or maintenance.
Passport365’s data allowed the assesment of future equipment replacement costs
Reducing operational costs
For the third objective, Passport365’s data presentation included an analysis of direct and indirect financial considerations. The team assessed factors such as the size and number of existing sites, their location relative to communities, accessibility, available investment, and future equipment replacement costs.
The BI reporting tool allows CCC to visualise the impact of these factors in real-time, providing a dynamic view of budget allocation. By adjusting budgets using the tool’s slider feature, CCC could see immediate changes in resource apportionment across different tiers of play spaces. This functionality ensured that the Council could make cost-effective decisions without relying on
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outdated information, optimising operational costs while maintaining high-quality service delivery.
Similar projects
Passport365 has collaborated with various local authorities, charities, trade bodies and other key partners across the UK, including PlayEngland, to deliver strategic objectives through data-driven solutions. This includes scenario testing dashboards that model the impact of adjustments to provision, pricing, and catchment assumptions on key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring a modern and fit-forpurpose approach to play space management.
Gary Johnson, Director of Passport365, said: “Through our partnership with Cambridge City
Council, we have significantly contributed to the city’s Play Space Provision project. By providing detailed assessments, identifying key sites for development, and helping to reduce operational costs, we have ensured that Cambridge’s play spaces meet high standards of quality and strategic importance.
“This collaboration not only addressed immediate needs but also established a framework for ongoing evaluation and improvement, benefiting the community for years to come. This is because the BI dashboard will allow CCC to easily track and analyse key data points –such as play space usage, condition ratings, and demographic trends – facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning.”
