Report of the chair of The Playwork Foundation, Karen Benjamin, to the charity's first annual general meeting, held on 8th March 2019. The Playwork Foundation was officially launched on 8th November 2017 at Goldsmiths College, University of London with presentations from Professor Fraser Brown, Penny Wilson, Adrian Voce and Meynell, who also streamed the event … Continue reading Flying the flag for playwork
Are adventure playgrounds really under threat from a risk-averse insurance industry?
Tiverton adventure playground, Devon Simon Bazley, after taking the temperature of this week’s media flurry about insurance companies and adventure playgrounds, decided to do a little bit of his own investigative journalism. He discovered that the picture is not exactly as described by some illustrious newspapers, and suggests that the more serious threats lie elsewhere. … Continue reading Are adventure playgrounds really under threat from a risk-averse insurance industry?
How youth workers can go the extra mile for play
When Ali Wood enrolled for an event, ‘In Defence of Youth Work’, in Birmingham, she saw that the agenda featured discussions on youth work in different settings and situations. Never being shy about speaking out for play, Ali asked if youth work in adventure playgrounds could be added to the programme. This is a synopsis … Continue reading How youth workers can go the extra mile for play
CHILDREN’S ACCESS TO PLAY IN SCHOOLS
Children's Access to Play in Schools ( CAPS ), a University of Gloucestershire project under the EU's Erasmus programme, is introducing its Play-friendly Schools Quality Criteria to the UK at an event in Gloucester on 5 December. Download details here.
Unite calls for Labour to reinstate recognition of playwork qualifications
In its response to the Labour Party's consulation on a statutory youth service, Unite the Union, which incorporates the former Community, Youth and Playworkers Union, has called for a return to the recognition of playwork qualifications. Unite's response says: "Unite believes that playworkers would also gain from an increased recognition of their professional skills especially … Continue reading Unite calls for Labour to reinstate recognition of playwork qualifications
What is playwork under neoliberalism?
In this new paper, Ben Dalbey, inspired by the writing of Wendy Russell and Mike Wragg in the recently-published Aspects of Playwork: Play & Culture Studies, Volume 14 (Hamilton Books, 2018), and quoting extensively from their work, attempts to apply some of their ideas to a US context informed by race and class. Abstract The … Continue reading What is playwork under neoliberalism?
2nd ‘Playwork Campference’ announced for Houston, Texas, February 2019
A Second “Playwork Campference” has been announced for 15th-18th February 2019 in Houston. The organisers, Pop-Up Adventure Play, say it will bring together "international experts on children's play to discuss unconventional approaches to risk and inclusion" Full details here Photo: Calgary Community Services
Symbiotic homeostatic disequilibrium in playworking interaction
A new paper by Joel Seath and Gordon Sturrock, derived from and following communications at the PlayEd conference in Cambridge, May 2018. Abstract Playwork’s key claim is its unique manner of working for and with children. It currently suffers, however, from a lack of consensus regarding the benefits of its application. This paper challenges the dilution … Continue reading Symbiotic homeostatic disequilibrium in playworking interaction
The Play Cycle 20 Years On
In 1998, Gordon Sturrock and the late Perry Else presented a paper at the IPA International Play Conference in Colorado, USA. The paper was titled ‘The playground as therapeutic space: playwork as healing’, later referred to as The Colorado Paper and introduced the Play Cycle to play theory. In the last twenty years, elements of the Play … Continue reading The Play Cycle 20 Years On
New policy roadshow date for London
Monday 12 November Hosted by Hackney Play Association at Pearson Street Adventure Playground Hoxton London E2 8EL *Please note that this is a change to the date and venue previously advertised due to a clash with another play policy discussion event! The Playwork Foundation, Play England and Hackney Play Association warmly invites you to this play … Continue reading New policy roadshow date for London