Policy and Consultations
Open Letter from Free Play Network members to Secretary of State
for Culture, Media & Sport Tessa Jowell MP
Selected Comments from Free Play Network members and supporters
"The absence of a designated funding stream
for play will have an impact on a number of projects in Torbay.
There is already clear evidence from the NOF Better Play funding
that this funding can be targeted and create thosands of opportunities
for children. Play facilities invariably tops the agenda for children
and parents when asked what would improve their neighbourhoods."
Steven Chown, Programme Manager, Torbay Children's Fund
"I support your stance.The proposal to take
this money away from play is criminal."
Richard Taylor, Parks Development Manager
"This ring fenced money could empower children
to play adventurously in their local area. Areas that have been
thought of as "waste ground" or rundown buildings can be secured
for children's use and transformed into natural playgrounds, free
from traffic and "school rules." Adventure play areas encourage
children to be creative, resolving conflicts to work together to
have a positive effect on their environment. Staffed areas help
the rounded development of children and young people, enabling them
to relate with adults on their own terms and to achieve more than
they thought possible. In government terms play may just be a crime
diversionary or child care activity to enable parents to work, but
they are missing the point. Our children are the greatest resource
this country has and their personal development, creativeness, self
confidence and community spirit will be all our futures."
Andrew Burrow, Outdoor Pursuits Instructor, Cardiff Council
"Play opportunities are essential for all
children but especially important for children whose lives may be
restricted and play opportunities less frequent or accessible."
Mary Davies, Inclusive Play Coordinator, Cardiff Council
"100% agreement"
Jan Cosgrove, Secretary, Fair Play for Children
"It is essential that this fund be specifically
designated for play. The Lottery funded 'Better Play' programmes
demonstrate what can be achieved in disseminating good practice
and improving quality and quantity of play provision. Experience
shows that play services/opportunities do not fare well when funds
are aimed more generally at services for children."
Sandra Melville
"The promised £200m dedicated funding
stream motivated many local authorities to think about, and plan
for, play strategically. What was understood as guaranteed designated
funding for play - holding the prospect of real money for practical
action to benefit children and their communities - helped to make
the argument locally for developing clear play policies, objectives
and implementation plans.
"PLAYLINK's experience has been that the prospect
of potential funding released local energy and commitment, and where
this occurred Play, Leisure, Planning and Housing Departments collaborated
with voluntary sector organisations, Regeneration Boards and Sure
Start to develop a shared vision of what was required in their areas
- and what was possible. Hull has testified to this in these collected
comments, and there are other examples.
"It is both odd and depressing that Government
should risk stifling the very prospect it so successfully engendered."
Bernard Speigal, PLAYLINK not for profit
"It is not the same to just add the money
to the Big Lottery and allow any applications which mention 'play'
to bid for it. The money needs to go specifically to projects which
have worked to consult with local children and organisations on
their needs for play facilities and activities in the context of
a proper policy that recognises the value of 'play' (as distinct
from childcare / sport / arts activity / education etc). This would
be in the spirit of the Review 'Getting Serious about Play'."
Helen Bapty, Leisure Development Officer, Teignbridge District
Council, S Devon
"This matter is urgent and crucial as play
services are currently 'dropping like flies' due to lack of funding
especially core service funding."
Lynne Emmerson, Play and Leisure Coordinator, KIDS
"Good quality play experiences are crucial
for our children's healthy development. The opportunities that this
money could create are vital for much needed improvements in children's
play throughout the UK. Money needs to be ring fenced specificaly
for play, not lost in a general pot where children's play is low
on the priority list."
Margaret Westwood, Vice Chair, Play Scotland
"Great play and great store was placed on
a wide consultation, including with children, on the best use of
this important ring fenced money for play. To back off now is a
U turn and a betrayal of the hopes raised and the needs identified.
Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child gives to
all children the right to play, yet government policy does little
to directly support this. ... The draft outcomes for children and
young people originally emphasised learning but not enjoying, but,
after considerable revolt, this was changed and recreation is now
included in the Children Bill before Parliament. On both counts
above, it is even more important that the Government honours its
original intention and does not breal its promise to give the Play
sector (formal and informal) a much needed cash injection and raised
political profile."
Bill Badham, Development Officer, National Youth Agency
"In Stockport we miss out on many sources
of money as we are not considered to be poor enough. However children
from ALL walks of live need play opportunities. This money would
have enabled us to offer a varity of play opportunities to the whole
of Stockport. Our team has dwindled over the years, sometimes due
to the lack of money. This money could have given us an opportunity
to be bigger and better. Please rethink because today's children
are tomorrow's teenagers who have not been given a positive role
model to follow. This can cause major problems for society.
Maura Maguire, Play Development Worker, Stockport Play Development
Team
"It's such a shame that the Government
doesn't realise that an investment in children is an investment
for all of our futures."
Dan Riley, Playleader, Crawley Play Service
"Please can we have some clear joined up thinking
in our policies that affect children and their communities. It is
no good panicking about obesity in children and young people in
the streets, and then taking away money (not even government money!)
from making safe places for children to get challenging and stimulating
physical play."
Mary Braid, Play Development Worker, Community Arts Network
"As a parent, grandparent and childcare practioner,
I am concerned about the lack of facilities for children's play
and recreation,and the rise in crime and mental health problems
amongst children."
Maureen Shepherd, Playwork Trainer/NVQ Assessor, Redbridge Early
Years
"I am absolutely appalled by the prospect
of a reduction in funding for work with young people. One of the
most consistent comments from young people engaged in our services
is the reliability and constancy. There are sometimes no parametres
at home. At least we can give them that on a regular basis. If you
cut this, they will have lost everything - all faith in someone
being there for them when they need them... Imagine a child with
no support from its parents. Where would that child go for the opportunity
to simply play and lose him/herself in job (and perhaps receive
some advice and comfort along the way)?"
Caroline Frances-King, Chair of trustees, Bath City Farm
"Children NEED to play. Do not let the goverment
break another promise to them."
Mike DeVaughan, Project Manager, Sands End Adventure Project
"There are key workers in Dorset whose jobs
are at risk from lack of continued funding. There are many areas
of rural deprivation in Dorset and such workers are essential in
advising where and how any grants etc can be best spent for the
benefit of the children here."
June Salt, Chairman, Dorset Ass. Parish & Town Councils
"It is vital that this funding for services
that support play is not withdrawn."
Linda Burrows, Playworker, Cardiff County Council
"It is very important this money is secured
for Play. With Education extending its agenda, quality play experiences
are even more important. Secure this money for play!!"
Sue Cheriton, Assistant Director Culture, Torbay Council
"Hull City Council have recently passed through
cabinet a Play Policy from which many organisations are beginning
to work in partnership to formulate a Play Strategy for the City.
The withdrawal of this funding will seriously undermine any future
projects, service planning and the development of models of good
practise stemming from the Play Strategy.
"It was with many aspirations that the Play
Policy was formulated, bearing in mind the many statutory, community
and voluntary organisations who participated. The disappointment
is even greater when you consider the expectations that such a document
raises. We must now report with regret that we may be unable to
fulfil the many expectations raised by the consultations with representatives
from a wide area of interests, but particularly to the children
who contributed. The Play Policy promotes the benefits of play upon
a child's holistic development and has helped to raise the profile
for play services.
"The Frank Dobson report 'Getting Serious
about Play' had said in its foreword that 'at the last general Election
the Government pledged £200 million of National Lottery money
would be earmarked for new and improved children's play facilities.'
He also states 'that a commitment to continue lottery funding of
play facilities would be a great step forward for children's' play.'
Successful play policies also contribute to wider government agendas
such as Neighbourhood Renewal, Preventative Strategies and Community
Safety.
"I would urge you to do what ever you can
to support better funding for play provision."
Catherine Law, Development Officer, Hull City Council
"Good quality, safe play facilities are so
important for children's development. Please continue to support
our future."
Mandy Robbins, Parent and Playworker, HCFF
"In order to provide adequately for our children's
development it is essential that we put the appropriate funds towards
play which provides them with all the informal education skills
they need such as social skills, negotiation, resolution, building
confidence, feeling valued, etc. Too much emphasis is put on viewing
young people with negativity, which the ASBOs are evidence of...
School aged children suffer far more at a time when it is crucial
that they develop the appropriate skills to sail positively into
adolescent and adulthood."
Chrys Brookes, Managing Director, Club 4 Kids
"For those of us with long memories this would
not be the first time a government has reneged on its committment
to play. I am sorry to see this government repeating the mistakes
of the Conservatives."
Peter Heseltine, Consultant, TPIC
"Play is a necessary development tool to enable
children to not only grow physically but also emotionally and socially.
To remove / not update or upgrade play facilities is unacceptable."
Sarah Hawker, Occupational Therapist, Hampshire County Council
"We have been running open access After School
Clubs in Widnes for the past 13 years - totaly funded through Charitable
sources - which is becoming harder to secure and our clubs are constantly
in danger of closing."
Anne Patchett, Manager, Kings Cross Project
It is vital that all of the play projects that have been working
so hard to get off the ground, and have been doing some fantastic,
groundbreaking work with young people, are maintained. If they are
not, all of this progress will be undone. One of the most important
factors in playwork is consistency.
Kilda Meadows, Environmental Youth and Play worker, Bath City
Farm
"It is essential that children are given the
opportunity to have quality play. Play deprivation can and does
lead to all sorts of problems and we are strating to see the results
of this in our society. If we continue to deprive children of their
recreation time and chance to do what they want to do then we will
reap the distatrous results in years to come. I urge you not to
go back on your promise of this money, the children of our country
are depending on you."
Alison Crowther, Playworker, Sunshine Club
"This will be the biggest oppurtunity for
50 years to change substantially the way of thinking and ringfencing
funds, money to the single most important asset we have, not just
as a nation but on a world scale. Play Oppurtunities for our Children
- they are our future. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY and POSITION AS A LEADER
IN GOVERNMENT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE."
Paul Redden, Managing Director, Eibeplay
"Cuts in local authority play funding make
this funding essential. We are being cheated, again."
Liz Allen, Secretary, Bognor Fun Bus Co Ltd
"I hope to goodness that the Govmt. fulfils
its promise. There is abundant evidence of the benefits of safe
play areas; we need to continue to think proactively and to remember
our pledges to promote an inclusive society. A great idea which
would do something to resore some of my faith in the Labour Party."
Jennifer Gibbins, Senior Educational Psychologist
"Time and time again, from consultations with
children and young people comes the need for more places to play.It's
always top of the list on how we can improve their lives. Children
have a right to play and they need more areas that are safe for
them to play in. You have the right and resonsibility to ensure
that this can happen. Do not go back on your promise."
Barbara Gibb, Children's Participation Worker, Hull Children's
Fund
"We need this funding. Locally based play
projects that are well established are closing down. One closed
here at the end of September that had 425 children on register."
R J Murray, Play Coordinator, Hendon Young Peoples' Project
"Funding for pre-school children with special
needs is grossly inadequate - this money could make such a difference."
Sandie Cunningham, Portage Team Manager
"When we started we used landfill tax credits
and were told these would be available for our category of work
for some time. Our work has been extreamly successful with many
children benefiting. The government then changed the criteria and
took future funding through this route away. The same looks as if
its about to happen with the Lottery - whose money is it anyway?"
Dilys Fisher, Manager, Wiltshire Play Resource Centre
"We support a membership of 150 play settings
embracing an estimated 3000+ children and 600+ playworkers. We witness
a continuing need for funding to enable children to access quality
play opportunities especially in areas of deprivation and priority
wards. The £200 million pledge was a welcome step towards
fulfilling this need. To 'Not Get Serious About Play' and renague
on this pledge would be a disgraceful act."
Martin French, Play Development Manager, Oxfordshire Play Association
"Typical!"
Len Budd, Publisher
"We hear again and again from the schools
and communities we work with throughout London that children are
loosing the ability to play. This is shocking - play is of fundamental
importance for the creative development and social understanding
of a child."
Hattie Coppard, Director, Snug & Outdoor
"What message is the DCMS giving to children?
They promised children the money, they asked children how they wanted
the money spent. They published a report explaining why children
need a separate fund for play. I would like the minister responsible
explain to children why their views no longer matter."
Michael Follett, Strategic Development Officer for Play, Bath
and North East Somerset
"It has been interesting to read the comments
regarding the 'Getting Serious' funding (or potential lack of it).
I would urge people to feel rightiously angry about the situation,
but to work through the anger by using it positively. While the
rumours suggest an all to familiar attitude to children's play and
it's importance, it is vital that we don't see ourselves as being
victims of yet another mis-understanding of the work.
"Having also been Playing for many years it's
no great shock to be taken for a fool regarding 'pennies from heaven'
for play. We've done a great deal of work looking at how people
might playfully self- organise to both look at what might happen
with the pittance (think about it- £200m over 5 years in 4
countries - we've spent more in Iraq in just one day) but more so
to look at what we've already got and see how we can creatively
put it to good use. Yes, it's a disappointment- get used to them,
yes it's thrown out plans, so where's your plan B?"
Fred Brown, 'Trying to make the best of a bad deal' officer,
Fair Play for Children
"According to the UN Convention on the Rights
of the Child Article 31 Children have the right to play - and we
as providers have an obligation to provide safe and stimulating
place for them. Funding is essential for this purpose especially
in a high poverty area like ours."
Kendra Tarplee, Project Manager, TAPS
"The funding promised for play, is a necessity
to ensure that children continue to have their right to develop
in this way. We all know that early play opportunities can nourish
children's life impacting on their development into a strong, motivated
citizen with regard for others and their community. Invest in our
country's future! Invest in Play!"
Nikke Gladwin, Community Services Manager Children & Young People,
Crawley Borough Council
"I strongly agree that funding for play must
be used to support play"
Marianne Moore, Project Designer, Design Laboratory
"Play is still not being recognised as vital
in children's development. We MUST safeguard the wellbeing of our
communities by putting play at the top of the agenda not at the
bottom."
Lin Mathews, Director, Gloucestershire Resource Centre
"It is essential that children have designated
places to play. Especially in our cities. Please be the voice for
our children."
Dee Bleach, Deputy Headteacher, Shapla Primary School
"There was great excitement in the play sector
when this funding was identified and promised please renew your
committment to play!"
Teresa Quinn, Development worker, Swindon Sure Start
"Play is vital to ensuring our children grow
up happy and well adjusted. Play is open to all and funding should
be available to all communities to ensure safe and secure communities.
Without play opportunities we will have more anti-social behaviour
and more problems from under 21's in our neighbourhoods."
Kay Willis, NHS Childcare Co-ordinator/Parish Councillor, Oxford
Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust/Hermitage Parish council
"Play is a child's right and one of the most
important things for children. This funding was going to demonstrate
the government's committment to a child's right to play. I trust
this decision not to ringfence will be reversed."
Rachel Grant, Development Worker, The Children's Society
"Never has there been a greater need for play
opportunities for our children, for the sake of their (and society's)
mental and physical health."
Quita Allender, Manager, North Somerset Play Forum
"The more play children get the better developed
they are as adults. Research has just proved this."
Mrs L Millar, Headteacher, Borough Road Nursery School
"Haringey is very disappointed with this news.
As one of many the boroughs, that desperately need this type of
cash injection for new play provision. This brings into question,
'How much is play reallly valued by the government?'"
Ronnie Roache, Play Developement officer, London Borough of Haringey
"The play movement has taken off in Tower
Hamlets as a result of Children's Fund monies - the result is that
we now have more knowledge about what is needed and where. We have
been planning for development on the understanding that more monies
were coming - please do not undo all the good work by reneging on
this agreement. Thankyou."
Hilarie Kerr, Development Worker, PATH
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