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PLAYLINK has embarked on a process of transition the aims of which are to ensure that:
The Free Play Network is a valued and successful PLAYLINK project, funded by the Community Fund for a three year period ending at the 31 August 2004. An application to the Community Fund for three year continuity funding failed, notification of which PLAYLINK recieved in July.
A survey of Free Play Network members and users confirmed that it is a valued service that should continue. PLAYLINK trustees want to ensure that the FPN:
PLAYLINK trustees have therefore allocated funds to the FPN that will enable it to continue in September and October whilst ways forward are examined.
The changes that have been put in train are that:
PLAYLINK and the Play Council have always worked closely together. It could be claimed that CPC have developed particularly in the fields of policy and research, and that PLAYLINK's role has been more in the areas of advice and support to play workers and the frontline. This is a general description. In reality the two organisations have often overlapped in their work.
In the present climate of questions about overlap of functions in play work, and the possible need for a national body for play, there are questions to be considered about having two separate organisations. There has also been a certain amount of duplication in the roles of the directors of the two organisations. Moreover, the sector is generally underfunded and core funding has continued to be a serious problem for PLAYLINK.
As play is now more on the political agenda, and government policy and reports are showing a greater understanding of those principles of children's play which PLAYLINK has always promoted, we believe that there is a fair climate for the development of our vision of play within the CPC. Equally, we are confident that Bernard Spiegal will continue to provide help and advice to the sector in the tradition of PLAYLINK the charity.
Sandra Melville retired as PLAYLINK's Director at the end of July. Our appreciation of Sandra's work is quite beyond conventional expression. PLAYLINK's success and the outstanding reputation it holds in the field, is largely due to her intelligent and knowledgeable understanding of the needs and concerns of frontline workers.
Sandra's was instrumental in setting up the Free Play Network. Sandra's vision of a society in which children have freedom to play and her understanding of how to support local play service providers in delivering high quality opportunities for children's play has played a crucial part in developing the network to date.
Although formally retired from the role of Director, Sandra is researching and writing an illustrated publication on what makes a good play environment. Clearly, her departure will be a serious loss to the play field.