Play for Wales issue 12

Ideas for a new approach to theinspection of play schemes were

discussed at a recent meeting betweenPlay Wales and the Care StandardsInspectorate. The CSIW reports …

The Care Standards Inspectorate forWales (CSIW) has responsibility for theregistration and inspection of all types ofday care settings for children under eightyears of age. There are currently over4,500 such settings in Wales - rangingfrom large nurseries, through to holidayplayschemes that run for just two or threeweeks a year during the school Summerholidays.

As we know, the value of giving childrenopportunities to learn through play -especially though attending aplayscheme - is becoming betterrecognised at large, and this area of workis developing at quite a pace. Someplayschemes cater only for children overthe age of eight, which means theyremain outside the remit of the CSIW.Others operate for a wider age range andchildren as young as five years old canattend. Such schemes have to registerwith the CSIW, be inspected at least onceevery year and, of course, be subject toenforcement action if it is necessary.

Before the Care Standards Act 2000came into being in April 2002, all Under8’s day care provision had to beregistered with the Local Authority inwhose area it operated. The Under 8’sinspectors at that time worked for anyone of the twenty-two local SocialServices Departments in Wales. The

advent of the CSIW brought all theseinspectors together to work for one body,which is a part of the National Assemblyfor Wales.

Generally speaking, Under 8’s inspectorscame to the CSIW with qualifications andexperience of working in social work,education or nursery work. Asexperience grows, the CSIW recognisesmore and more the advantage of having avaried skill mix amongst its staff workingacross all the various types of settings.There is no doubt that everyone benefitsfrom the sharing of skills and experience -particularly in specialist areas.

The area of playwork is a good exampleof this, so the CSIW is looking at theprospect of employing experiencedand/or qualified playworkers onsecondment to some of our eight CSIWRegional Offices. After a short inductionperiod, they would be authorised to workas CSIW inspectors.

Anyone interested in being considered forsecondment should write to the CSIWNational Office giving their personaldetails as well as an outline of theirexperience and qualifications.

The address is:

CSIW - National Office,

Personnel, Training and Development,

Units 4/5, Charnwood Court,

Parc Nantgarw,

CARDIFF CF15 7QZ

CSIW TAKES PLAYWORKERS ON BOARD

PPllaayy ffoorr WWaalleessI s s u e 1 2 S P R I N G 2 0 0 4

CSIW TAKES PLAYWORKERS ON BOARDPLAY NEWS & BRIEFING FROM THE NATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR PLAY

PLAYWORK VALUES REVIEW AT www.playwales.org.uk

PLAY STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONSRREEAADDYY TTOO GGOOThe recommendations of the WelshAssembly Government Play PolicyImplementation Group are due to besubmitted on 12 March.

This has been an opportunity for Welshplay-related organisations to “screw ourcourage to the sticking point” in gatheringtogether and articulating ideas for a playfriendly Wales that puts children’s playneeds high up on the priority list. In theprocess, the group have consulted withWelsh Assembly Government officialsfrom a wide range of departments, fromthose breathing life into health plans, tothose driving Highways. The scope of therecommendations will be wide rangingbecause play is so central to every aspectof children’s lives that it impinges onalmost every area of policy making.

We now await the response of Jane HuttAM (Minister for Children) with batedbreath.

PLAYWORK VALUES AND ASSUMPTIONS- REVIEWIn late 2003 Play Wales received shortterm funding from the Welsh AssemblyGovernment to review the PlayworkValues and Assumptions that underpinthe Playwork NVQs and informNational Occupational Standards forPlaywork. The consultation processwill start in March and we anticipatethe review will be completed by earlyMay.

The Assumptions and Values wereoriginally developed at a time whenPlaywork NVQs were being drafted,and whilst reflecting the understandingof play and playwork at the time, theywere undertaken with limitedconsultation, and they do not reflectthe most recent developments withinthe profession.

During the review of the NationalOccupational Standards at Level 2undertaken by SPRITO (nowSkillsActive) in 2002, it emerged thatmany within the playwork sector feltthat there was a need to review the

cont. pg4 >

Play Wales Chwarae Cymru Issue 12 Spring 2004

EDITORIALEDITORIAL

The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Play Wales. We reserve the right to edit for publication. Play Wales will include inserts and adverts in thisnewsletter (please contact Kathy Muse for prices at the above address) however, we do not endorse any of the products or events advertised in or with this publication.

Designed and pr inted by Carr ick Bus iness Serv ices Ltd. Te l : 029 2074 1150. E-mai l : sa les@carr ickbus iness.co.ukCartoon i l lust rat ions by Les Evans

Play for Walesis published by Play Wales three times a year. All correspondence and enquiries should be addressed to the Editor at :

Play Wales, Balt ic House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardi ff CF10 5FH Telephone: 029 2048 6050 Fax: 029 2048 9359 E-mai l : mai [email protected]

Registered Char i ty No. 1068926

• Editorial P 2

• Getting Serious About Play P 2

• Flintshire Plays for Health P 3

• Landslide in Hopkinstown P 3

• Go On - Have A Go P 3

• Positive Steps on the Isle P 3

• Let’s Pretend P 4

• Current Playwork Assumptions P 5

• Play in Sweden P 6

• Fieldwork for Community Farmers and

Gardeners P 8

• Looked After Children Give Views

on Play Guidance P 8

• Playday P 9

• That’s the Spirit P 9

• New Office Assistant P 9

• Thinking of Playwork? P 9

• Events P 10

• Fundraising P 10

WHAT’S INSIDE

In a scan through a recent copy of the Western Mail there are articles onchildhood obesity, the use of television as a childminding tool, and an account

of a “tomb-stoning” accident (a Welsh teenager seeking risk by jumping off acliff, broke his legs when he miss timed the wave that was to cushion his fall). Atthe same time there are reports in the UK press of an annual school pancakerace being cancelled due to the rising cost of public liability insurance. It is clearthat there are rising concerns about the state of our children, as well asincredulity at the daft excesses of our overly health and safety conscious andlitigious culture.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that ifwe don’t encourage all our children to beactive and play, and if we don’t provideopportunities for all our children to takerisks as part of their healthy development,we will end up with an unfit, fat andpassive population, some of whom,denied the opportunity to deal with risk ina supervised environment, will seek thrillsin dangerous circumstances withouthaving the skills to handle it. Theseissues have been the key to puttingforward common sense recommendationsfor a play strategy for our country that willform part of a holistic investment in ourchildren.

The Play Policy Implementation Grouphas unanimously agreed that PlayProvision in Wales should giveopportunities for children to take risks.There is a possibility that the issue willstimulate debate in the review of theplaywork assumptions and values. It

often leaves play providers andplayworkers tugged between a theoreticalunderstanding of why risk is beneficial,and concerns over the prospect ofparental disapproval and the possibility oflitigation. We hope that both our currentmajor projects (the strategyrecommendations and the review) willhelp to clarify the issue, and supportpeople working in the field.

Last but by no means least,congratulations to the CSIW for offeringsecondments to experienced playworkers.There is now a much greater potential thatwe might all share a better understandingof our respective roles, and how we mightmost effectively raise the quality ofchildren's play provision. Let’s hope thatthis initiative is a success and that thebenefits are felt in all registered playprovision in Wales.

Mike GreenawayDirector

GGeettttiinngg SSeerriioouuss AAbboouutt PPllaayyThe report of the play review that took place across the UK lastyear was launched in January. “Getting Serious About Play”,funded by two UK Government Departments, was launched byFrank Dobson at Coram’s Fields children’s playground incentral London.

While the review process covered the whole of the UK, thereport’s conclusions and recommendations are specific toEngland. In Wales the report has been taken into considerationby the Welsh Assembly Government Play PolicyImplementation Group in their recommendations for a playstrategy for Wales.

The report calls for the lottery fund allocation of £200m to be usedto improve and create thousands of spaces where children canplay freely and safely.

Access to these should be free.

Funding should be focused on areas and groups with the poorestaccess to quality play opportunities, particularly disabled children.

The bulk of funding should support exemplary projects that followand promote best practice. There should also be funding tosupport new approaches.

The report recognises the need to involve children and the wider

community in deciding what works best for them. It also supportsthe case for the employment of playworkers.

NOF should evaluate the impact on children and young people,parents and communities of the play projects they fund and alsobuild up a database of what works and what does not.

It recommends that local authorities appoint a play champion anddevelop a strategic approach to securing long-term funding forplay.

There are further recommendations about the practicalities of howthe money should be distributed.

Go directly to the report by using our Useful Sites web page atwww.playwales.org.uk where it is listed as UK Play Review, orvisit the DCMS website at www.culture.gov.uk/publications

For a hard copy please contact [email protected]

Children’s charities urged to have protection policies

The Charity Commission is warning children’s charities that they arebreaking the law if they work without a protection policy for adultsworking with children. It comes after 80 of the 1,000 charitiesinspected by the review visit team were unable to provide a policy.

2Play For Wales

Flintshire Plays for HealthFlintshire Plays for HealthAnew project, which is a first for Flintshire, is about to employ two

workers to advise on the effects of play deprivation on children andyoung people’s wellbeing, and the health benefits of providingcommunity based play opportunities. The two year project is funded byBryn Gwalia, Mold and Castle Ward, Flint Communities First PartnershipBoards, the Welsh Assembly Cymorth fund, and the Heart of FlintshireProject.

“Although Flintshire appears to be a relatively healthy place to live, data forthe whole county is likely to hide marked differences between sections of thepopulation, or between different areas. Attention to the underlying causes ofill health – poverty/deprivation, smoking, poor diet and insufficient physicalactivity – is essential.” Flintshire Health Assessment document.

LANDSLIDE IN HHOOPPKKIINNSSTTOOWWNNThe late January/early February storms that swept across Wales

caused a landslide in Hopkinstown near Pontypridd. Unfortunately the children’s play area was devastated

Photo courtesy of the South Wales Echo

GO ON – HAVE A GOWe are keen to publish the views and comments of both children andadults, and to hear about examples of good practice in play provision inWales, so please put pen to paper or get tapping on that keyboard. Ifyou don’t feel confident about writing we can help you shape up yourarticle. We are also keen to publish photographs as long as the childreninvolved, and their parents, have given permission. Of course, wereserve the right to edit.

If you would like to contribute to Play for Wales please contact Gill Evansat our national office in Cardiff telephone 029 2048 6050 or [email protected]

Play for Wales is currently published three times a year, with a Spring,Summer and Autumn issue. We also publish play news relating to Waleson our website as it arrives in our office.


PositiveSteps onthe Isle

Anglesey is responding positivelyto demands to give play a

higher profile across the Island.

After years of responsibility devolvedfrom the County Council to communitycouncils, who struggled withinadequate funds, the poor and insome cases dangerous state of playprovision on the Island washighlighted in a Play Wales report twoyears ago. You may have witnessedthe adverse publicity in local andregional press.

This moved the County Council toassume a leading role in creating apartnership to reverse the position,and the Education and LeisureDepartment was instrumental inestablishing the Isle of Anglesey PlayPartnership in autumn 2003. ThePartnership has representatives fromthe County Council, Town andCommunity Councils, VoluntarySector, and the County Youth Forum –Llais Ni.

Its primary aim is to “enrich the playexperiences of the children and youngpeople in Anglesey, through effectivecollaboration to improve facilities andto develop play activities.”

The Partnership will soon besupported by a full time PlayDevelopment Officer, who will havethree key objectives:

• to produce a 5 year County PlayStrategy,

• to support communities in theirquest to improve or provide newplay provision,

• to co-ordinate Open Access PlayProgrammes on the Island.

With a concerted approach to issuesof play, there is renewed optimism onthe Island that the Partnership canmake real improvements for thebenefit of its children and youngpeople.

For further details contact AledRoberts, Leisure & CommunitiesService. Telephone 01248 762912

3 Play For Wales


4Play For Wales

Playwork Assumptions and Values.

The national organisations that support

playwork and playwork training in the

other three nations and across the UK

will be supporting the review. They

include Playboard Northern Ireland,

Play Scotland, Children’s Play Council,

SkillsActive, Playlink, London Play, the

Community and Youth Workers Union,

and the Joint National Council on

Training in Playwork.

We hope to achieve a succinct and

robust statement, supported by

appendices, that will serve the

playwork profession for the foreseeable

future.

Unfortunately, given the time

constraints that are imposed on us in

our funding agreement, we have by

necessity made some urgent decisions

regarding the drafting and consultation

process, and as a result it has not been

possible to involve others in every

aspect of setting up the review.

Accordingly we have employed Bob

Hughes to lead the review. Bob is

someone that we have worked with

successfully before and he is a leading

consultant in the playwork field. He has

enlisted the help of fellow thinkers

Gordon Sturrock (University of East

London) and Mick Conway (co-author

of Quality in Play). They will draft a

starting point document for the

consultation process. This will be

based on sound principles that relate

directly to the purpose and

methodologies of our work with

children, and we expect it will stimulate

reflection and debate. It is a starting

document, and it will naturally change

through the consultation process

before we arrive at a final statement.

consultation processIt is important to us that the

consultation process ensures a shared

understanding, and that it arrives at a

consensus of the profession’s thinking.

We will make every effort to make the

process as transparent as possible, and

to publicise the consultation as widely

as we can.

The consultation is taking place on our

website where there will be supporting

material. If anyone wishing to take part

is unable to access the Internet they

should contact us for regular hard copy

updates.

All participants in the consultation

process will be asked to identify

themselves, and their profession, in

order that their responses can be put

into context.

Getting Involved . . . . GettingInvolved . . . . . Getting InvolvedThis is an opportunity for the playwork

profession to ‘make up its own mind’,

determine its own agenda, and ‘say it

as it is’. We are very keen that

playworkers all over the UK are

involved in the consultation and make

their views known. The more

playworkers who take part, the greater

the validity of the result.

When you join in the consultation on

our website, you will be asked to

complete a brief form and then asked

whether you agree or disagree with

each element of the values and

assumptions, you will also be able to

make comments.

Given that the work is dependent on

short term funding there is some

pressure to complete quickly, and the

consultation period last for six weeks.

However, if it becomes apparent that

we are unlikely to reach a consensus

we will extend the consultation to allow

for additional revisions to be

considered.

Email: [email protected]

Website:www.playwales.org.uk/values

Telephone: 029 2048 6050

<cont. from pg1

PLAYWORK VALUES ANDASSUMPTIONS REV IEW


5 Play For Wales

CCuurrrreenntt PPllaayywwoorrkkAssumptions and ValuesEven though the National Occupational Standards focuson and describe work functions, they are based on anumber of assumptions and values (the philosophy) thatunderpin good practice in playwork. Here are thecurrent assumptions and values that are beingreviewed:

AssumptionsThe first assumption is that children’s play is freely chosen,personally directed behaviour and motivated from within.Through play children are able to explore the world, and hisor her relationship with it, elaborating all the while a flexiblerange of responses to the challenges he or she encounters.By playing, children learn and develop as individuals.

The second assumption is that whereas children may playwithout encouragement or help, adults can, through theprovision of an appropriate human and physicalenvironment, significantly enhance opportunities for thechild to play creatively and thus develop through play.

In this way the competent playworker always aims toprovide opportunities for the individual child to achieve hisor her full potential, while being careful not to control thechild’s direction or choice.

Values1. Play opportunities are provided in a number of settings

(e.g. Local Authority, voluntary or commercial) forchildren with a variety of needs. Competent playworkalways has the following underlying values regardless ofsocial and cultural diversity.

2. The child must be at the centre of the process, and theopportunities provided and the organisation, whichsupports, co-ordinates and manages these, shouldalways start with the child’s needs and offer sufficientflexibility to meet these.

3. Play should empower children, affirm and support theirright to make choices, discover their own solutions andallow them to develop at their own pace and in their ownway.

4. Whereas play may sometimes be enriched by theplayworker’s participation, adults should always besensitive to children’s needs and never try to control achild’s play so long as it remains within safe andacceptable boundaries.

5. Every child has a right to a play environment whichstimulates and provides opportunities for risk, challengeand the growth of confidence and self esteem.

6. The contemporary environment in which many childrengrow up does not lend itself to safe and creative play.All children have the right to a play environment which isfree from hazard, which ensures physical and personalsafety and a setting within which the child ultimatelyfeels physically and personally safe.

7. Every child is an individual and has the right to berespected as such. Each child should feel confidentthat the adults who work and play with them valueindividuality and diversity.

8. A considerate and caring attitude to individual childrenand their families is essential to competent playworkand should be displayed at all times.

9. Prejudice against people with disabilities, or who suffersocial and economic disadvantage, racism and sexismhas no place in an environment which seeks to enhancedevelopment through play. Adults involved in playshould always promote equality of opportunity andaccess for all children and seek to develop antidiscriminatory practice and positive attitudes to thosewho are disadvantaged.

10. Play should offer the child opportunities to extend his orher exploration and understanding of the wider worldand consequently the physical, social and culturalsettings beyond their immediate experience.

11. Play is essentially a co-operative activity for childrenboth individually and in groups. Playworkers shouldalways encourage children to be sensitive to the needsof others. In providing play opportunities they shouldalways seek to work together with children, theirparents, colleagues and other professionals and wherepossible to make their own expertise available to thewider community.

12. Play opportunities should always be provided withincurrent legislative framework relevant to children’srights, health, safety and well-being.

13. Every child has a right to an environment for play, andsuch environments must be made accessible tochildren.


6Play For Wales

W h y d o w e e n v y t h eThe attention given to the

rights and needs of children inScandinavian countries is oftenused as a model of good practice.Our own Play Policy and therecommendations for a playstrategy for Wales seek to fostera similar regard for the youngermembers of our society. HereMarc Armitage, a freelance playdevelopment worker andresearcher, uses his extensiveexperience to compare playprovision in the UK with that inSweden.It has been reported that the Danisharchitect and founder of theadventure playground movement,Sorensen, gave up in his attemptsto introduce adventure playgroundsto Sweden because the Swedeswere ‘just too neat and tidy’ tograsp the concept. Having livedand worked for some years in theScandinavian countries, particularlySweden, I think I can see what hemeant. This truly is a country ofclean streets, and yes, the peoplehere really do wait for the ‘greenman’ to come on before crossingthe road – and they look oddly uponpeople who don’t!

The words ‘Sweden’, ‘children’ and‘good practice’ seem to gotogether. Much of this reputation iswell deserved. But it takes timebeing involved in the system beforeit is possible to realise that noteverything the Swedes do is betterthan the British - and there aresome things that the Swedes couldlearn from us. There is an additionalproblem too: there is a possibilitythat much of the good practice tobe found in Sweden comes largelyfrom broad cultural differences,rather than just a difference indelivery. These cultural differencesmay be something that does nottransfer well.

Geographically, Sweden is a largecountry with a small population. Itsland area is 1.7 times bigger thanthe United Kingdom, but itspopulation is 6.6 times smaller. Thisresults in a population density ofapproximately 22 people per squarekilometre, compared with around

244 people per square kilometre inthe UK. The sense of space issomething that permeates Swedishlife, even in the cities. For examplethe average size of homes for allsocial groups is higher than in theUK, and homes are also planned ina more ‘open style’ with anemphasis placed on quality of light.Cities are less compact, generallygreener, and have more openrecreational space per head ofpopulation.

Communal living is the norm. Morethan 60% of the Swedishpopulation live in blocks ofapartments as opposed to houses,

and unlike in the UK, there is noassociated stigma. Living incommunal groups requires a degreeof co-operation and tolerance. Thislatter point is something else thatSweden is well known for. Manymay not know this, but Sweden wasonce the head of a major Europeanempire that reached deep into whatis now modern Russia, but for overa century the country has beendeclared internationally neutral. Theimage of the peace loving andtolerant Swede may be perceivedas another example of nationalstereotype, but it turns out to begenerally true. This also results in avery tolerant attitude towardschildren and what they do. This issomething that begins in the

education system, where thecompulsory Schools NationalCurriculum states that “The schoolshould develop [a pupil’s] ability toconsciously form and expressethical standpoints based onknowledge and personalexperiences … [and to] … respectthe intrinsic value of other people.”

One of the clearest expressions ofthe Swedish attitude towardschildren comes in the upholding ofChildren’s Rights. This is an issuethat does not seem to elicit thesame amount of fear amongSwedish parents as it possibly doesamongst the British. It genuinely

results in a willingness to listen towhat children have to say and actupon their views. The idea thatchildren should be seen and notheard persists in the British culture;but in Sweden the general attitudeis not just one that says childrenshould be seen and heard, but thatthey should be actively asked andwhat they have to say should bevalued.

This love of open space and thevery real tolerant attitude of theSwedes serve their children well interms of the neighbourhoods inwhich they live. Even a short walkaround any residential area inSweden will reveal publicplaygrounds dotted around all overthe place! There are simply many

In Sweden housing estates are built around playgroundsso there is no traffic danger for children.


7 Play For Wales

SS ww ee dd ee ss ??more than you would find in aBritish neighbourhood and thosethat can be seen are right inamongst children’s homes, ratherthen placed on the edge of theestate.

Compare these figures: in Flintshire(population 148,600) there is aroundone public playground per roughly1,000 head of population; the city ofHalmstad (population 85,000) insouth Sweden has around onepublic playground per 380 head ofpopulation. *

When speaking with local komun(council) officials, designers andplanners about the provision oflocal play space, there is a strongsense of ‘this is how it should be,’influenced by the cultural norms ofopen space, communal living,tolerance and an ear for children.Trying to recreate attitudes like thisin the United Kingdom would takegenerations and may, ultimately, beunachievable. But there is anothertrick that the Swedes have to relyon that we could possibly adopt. It’scalled Legislation.

Current building regulations inSweden state that for pre-schoolchildren there must be a declared‘lekplats’ (literally play place) within50m of their homes, and for olderchildren within 100m. This results inpublic playgrounds that aregenerally much smaller in area andhave fewer pieces of ‘playequipment’, but much moreplanting and ‘environmental playfeatures’ than the UK equivalent.This in part explains the starkdifference in figures quoted above.But the important point is that it issimply impossible for a housingarea to be built in Sweden withoutadequate play space for childrenbeing provided in quantity, quality;and close to and in amongstpeoples homes.

This latter point gives rise to oneother significant difference betweenthe two countries: the combinationof location of public playgroundsand the common use of 30km (not30mph) zones guarded by roadtraffic measures such as speed

bumps, close to schools, day-carecenters and public playgrounds,results in Sweden having a childroad death figure that is virtually nil.

All this sounds rosy does it not?With the possible exception of thelack of adventure playgrounds(there are some in Sweden, just notvery many) I seem to have painted apicture of the ideal world forplayworkers. Pack your bags andmove! But bear this in mind first. Itis actually very difficult to work withchildren in Sweden without auniversity education. I have comeinto contact with very few peopleinvolved in children’s play inSweden that have not been touniversity to study how to do it.Attitudes towards ‘unqualifiedworkers’ have changed greatly overthe last decade or so. For example,parent-led community child-caresettings are common in Sweden,but some colleagues involved inthis sector report a growing changein attitude where the recruitment ofstaff and volunteers is concerned,saying either that they would simplynot consider engaging adultswithout a higher educationbackground or feeling that they faceopposition when they do so. This isinteresting bearing in mind thecurrent drive towardsprofessionalising playwork in theUnited Kingdom, and this shouldpossibly serve as a warning.

To conclude, I am not a childanymore and I would not even

attempt to claim that children’s livesin the United Kingdom are anyworse than in Sweden. But if I wasstill a child and I had the power tochoose, I know where I would like togrow up.

Marc Armitage

[email protected]

PLAYPEOPLE - Play Development,Education, Training & Research

Marc Armitage now lives inHalmstad, a small city in southSweden. Since becoming aplayworker in the United Kingdomin the 1980s he has worked as aneighbourhood playworker, acrèche group worker, a playworkTraining Officer, and a localauthority Play Development Officer.He now works under the namePLAYPEOPLE, teaching andresearching a broad range of playand children’s lives topics in boththe United Kingdom and theScandinavian countries.

*We recognise that it is unscientific tocompare an area of mixed dwellingpatterns, such as Flintshire, with a city,however we could find no directcomparisons in terms of populationsize in Wales. The play area statisticsfor Flintshire are governed byperformance indicators set by theAudit Office.

Let’s Pretend-- aa FFaannttaassttiicc PPrrooggrraammmmee oonn FFaannttaassyy PPllaayy

The exploration of aspects of play very rarely features ontelevision or radio, but recently the poet Michael Rosen

presented an excellent late-night Radio 4 programme onfantasy play – Let’s Pretend.

If you are unable to access it through the Radio 4 website atwww.bbc.co.uk/radio/factual and you have the appropriatesoftware, we can e-mail the RealOne file to you so that you canlisten on your computer. Please e-mail [email protected]

Few children in Wales have access to opportunities togrow food and raise animals, a fundamental learning

experience that sits well within play provision. TheFederation of City Farms and Community Gardens isgetting ready to support community farming, gardeningand growing initiatives in Wales, and Play Wales is rightbehind them.

The Federation (FCFCG) is a charity that promotes,supports and represents community groups engaged inlocal regeneration. Its member projects range from pocket-sized urban spaces saved from development, sharedallotment plots and adventure playgrounds, to the largesturban community farms. Membership is open to groupsthat support, want to set up or have already established acity farm, community garden or similar project.

Having consulted with member projects and potentialmembers in Wales the Federation is seeking to develop astronger network here through its Fieldwork Programme.This has involved FCFCG in recruiting and trainingexperienced practitioners, who provide generic advice andsupport to existing and potential projects on a sessionalbasis. They are in turn backed by Regional Advisors, whomatch requests for help to the fieldworker with the mostrelevant expertise. The fieldworkers then provide site visits,

technical advice over the phone, help with negotiations,training, and networking opportunities.

The programme’s undoubted success and popularityelsewhere in the UK, lies in its ability to strengthen the linksbetween established and emerging projects by harnessingthe existing skills within the community farming, gardeningand growing movement.

How to Get InvolvedPlay Wales is hosting a round table meeting of interestedparties on Tuesday 27 April at Baltic House in Cardiff, wherethe FCFCG will outline its plans and seek advice as to thebest way forward. If you would like further informationabout the work of the Federation, or the meeting in Cardiff,please feel free to contact Paul Jayson, DevelopmentWorker.

Telephone: 0117 923 1800

or email [email protected]

FCFCG at SpiritThe Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens willbe running two workshops at Play Wales’ Spirit ofAdventure Play Conference in May – one focussing on theirexperience of developing the fieldwork project (which willhave relevance to anyone wishing to set up a similar projectfor play providers) and another on including elements ofcommunity managed gardening and farming in playprojects.


8Play For Wales

Fieldwork for CommunityFarmers andGardeners

Looked After Children Give Viewson Play GuidanceDo you know any children or young people who live orstay with foster carers or in children's homes? If so, andthey can get access to the Internet, they may beinterested to know about some work we are doing.

We are working with the National Children's Bureau todevelop materials for foster and residential carers toencourage them to them to support children's play andcreative development. We are keen to find out whatchildren think and there is a website where they can posttheir views.

The website, specifically for looked after children and

young people is www.sonet.soton.ac.ukIssy Cole-Hamilton

Policy and Research Officer, Children's Play Council

Telephone: 020 7843 6403

New Home Zones Video

“Home Zones the UK experience” is a new video resource forcommunity groups and professionals working on home zoneprojects. Produced by The Children’s Play Council and Transport2000 it is available from Marston Book Services. Please ring 01235465500 or e-mail [email protected]


9 Play For Wales

Playday - 4 August 2004 - FFaammiilliieess aatt PPllaayyIn the Year of the Family the Playday steering group hasdecided to celebrate Families at Play, and suggestionsinclude declaring 4 August a Playday bank holiday toencourage parents to play with their children!

Surveys suggest that parents regret that they have so littletime to play with their offspring. The steering group (led bythe Children’s Play Council and the Children’s Society inEngland) has commissioned an NOP poll to ask childrenaged between 7 and 12 years who they play with and how

often. Children taking part in play projects will be asked tosubmit creative work about having fun with their family.

Here at Play Wales we have decided to support Playday bybuilding on last year’s media success, and by producing aseries of leaflets for parents offering information on play andhow best to support children’s play needs.

For more information please visit www.playday.org.uk

Play Wales’ fourth Spirit of Adventure Play conferencetakes place on 11 and 12 May in Cardiff.

The ethos of the adventure playground is arguably themost child-centred of all those in children’s provision. Itembodies knowledge of children’s rights and needs in anera when we often pay lip service but fail to deliver. Giventhe millions of children we work for, adventure

playgrounds are fewand far between.However, the ethoscan be usedsuccessfully toprovide for children inany play setting.

This conference wasoriginally set up notonly to celebrate andsupport thoseworking on adventureplaygrounds, but alsoto provide a forumwhere experiencedplayworkers candebate, contribute

and refresh their working practice. We have invitedspeakers and organised workshops and discussions tostimulate and inspire. There will be food for thought aswell as practical guidance on such thorny issues asintroducing fire to play provision or keeping animals.

If you are interested in attending, please contact PlayWales for a booking form. Telephone 029 2048 6050 or e-ail [email protected]

Risk and Play on Adventure PlaygroundsPlay Wales is currently developing guidance on the safetyinspection of adventure playgrounds, which includesbackground information as well as an overview of relevantlegislation, and a framework for inspection and riskassessment. We hope to publish it at Easter, with alaunch at our Spirit conference. The guidance will sold atcost price, and will be available to download on the factsheets page of our websitewww.playwales.org.uk/factsheets

Adventure Playground Insurance

Astbury Wren Insurance brokers will arrange cover forAdventure Playgrounds within 24 hours.

Please ring 01244 310 574 email [email protected]

That’s the SSppiirriitt

Want to find out more aboutthe role of the playworker, andthe demands and challenges ofplaywork? Flintshire CountyCouncil will be hosting aPlaywork Awareness Day atFlint Pavilion on Tuesday 6April 2004.

The County is recruiting for acountywide playschemeprogramme in Summer 2004 andrequires in excess of 100 playworkers. It is important thatcandidates are aware of the

nature of play work, and itsdemands, in order to take theirapplication further. There will belimited spaces for those who arekeen just to come along on theday to find out more information.

Please contact the LeisureServices Office on 01352 702456to register your interest or e mail

Go to www.playwales.org.uk forplay jobs in Wales, or advertisevacant posts free.

Thinking of PPllaayywwoorrkk??Our new office assistant, PhillipaMacleod was born and bred inCardiff, has a degree inPsychology, and has caught thetravelling bug …

At the start of 2003 I went travelling,beginning in Southeast Asia andending up on the west coast ofAmerica in July. It was a fantasticexperience and I’’ve returned homewith a lot of memories (and a certainamount of debt) but it wasundoubtedly worth it! I am settling in

to life at PlayWales (wheremy sense ofhumour helps)but ultimately Ih a v eambitions toteach abroadand to live inCanada.


10Play For Wales

EEVVEENNTTSSAn Introduction to AdventurePlaygrounds23/24 March 2004 Following the success of last year’s PlayWales seminar, this is an opportunity forpeople planning to set up adventureplaygrounds in Wales to explore some ofthe issues involved. Takes place inCardiff. Contact Kathy or Phil on 0292048 6050 or [email protected]

Healing through Play: AnIntroduction to Play as Therapy29 April – 2 May 2004Training day in London organised byCommunity Insight Contact 01793 512612for a booking form

CYWU National Conference 200427 April 2004The Community and Youthworkers Union(includes playworkers) meet in Derry,Northern Ireland. Contact Kerry on 0121244 3344 or e-mail [email protected]

The Spirit of Adventure Play11 and 12 May 2004A Play Wales UK conference on playworkand the ethos of adventure playgrounds.Speakers and workshops to stimulate andinspire good practice in playwork.Contact Kathy or Phil on 029 2048 6050or e-mail [email protected]

5th Major National Conference andExhibition on the Playwork NVQ &SVQ6 and 7 July 2004 BirminghamPlease contact Meynell Games 01323738380 or e-mail [email protected]

FundraisingThe Summer Holiday Activities Small Grants Schemesupports holiday activities for children between the agesof 5-13 years. Emphasis is put on small local playschemeslasting 4-6 weeks, and groups planning a summer breakor special activities for youngsters who aredisadvantaged, or who have a disability. The grants ofbetween £200 and £400 are available throughout the UK.

Application forms are available on the bulletin page atwww.lankelly-foundation.org.uk or contact BarbaraGarlick on 01235 820044

New fundraising series from WCVA

WCVA has produced a new bilingual fundraising series ofinformation sheets, which have been uploaded to thewebsite at www.wcva.org.uk/content

Subjects include: an overview of fundraising, fundraisingtechniques and good practice and making your case for agrant, to name but a few. Copies are also available fromthe Helpdesk on 0870 607 1666, email [email protected]

Camelot Foundation - transforming livesprogramme

The foundation provides grants of £10,000 - £90,000 toorganisations that work with young people aged between11 and 25. The Foundation seeks to work withorganisations that support young parents or those at riskof becoming young parents, young asylum seekers,young people with mental health problems and youngdisabled people. Visit the website atwww.camelotfoundation.org/translives/translives/.cfm

Chase Charity

Chase Charity has funds available for registered charities,particularly community initiatives that meet local needs.Grants of £1,000 to £30,000 are available to supportcommunity arts. They ‘are particularly interested inhelping charities to take their work . . . to people living inrural areas’. Further details at www.chase-charity.org.uk

Philip Henman Trust

The Trust supports a range of initiatives. It can provideone-off grants of up to £1,000 to UK charities working withchildren and young people; and grants of between £20and £500 to a local charity. Visit the website atwww.djclark.com/pht/contact.html

B&Q YOU CAN DO IT COMMUNITY AWARDS

Offered annually to twenty community groups, voluntaryorganisations and charities in the UK. Consisting of up to£5,000 worth of B & Q materials for the renovation andrefurbishment of community group premises orcommunity projects. Contact 0845 300 1001 or visithttp://www.diy.com

Access Funds

The Access Funds website lists funding from government,the lottery, EU and a range of other bodies. It includes amonthly bulletin and e-mail alert that allow you to havefunding information emailed directly to you. Visit thewebsite at www.access-funds.co.uk

Documents

Play for Wales issue 12