GET READY FOR PLAYDAY
23 July 2007
As the school holidays get under way,
neighbourhoods across the country are gearing up for this year’s
Playday, the annual celebration of children’s play, which takes
place on Wednesday 1 August.
Over 100,000 children across the UK nations will attend free,
locally-organised events, where they can play – enjoying a huge
range of activities, from traditional street games, skateboarding
and BMX, to street parties and free events in local parks for the
whole community.
The theme for 2007 – Our streets too! – highlights that the
streets belong to everyone in their neighbourhood and that
play-friendly streets offer huge benefits to the whole community.
Children want and need to play in their local streets, and they
have the right to be there. The street offers a valuable place to
play which – with the right planning and design – is a safe
environment near children’s homes, but is outside and children can
feel independent.
Adrian Voce, director of Play England, said: ‘With recent calls
from the government to highlight the vital importance of outdoor
play for children’s development, the theme for this year’s Playday
couldn’t be more relevant. If the streets are ‘no-go areas’ for
children – as many of them are, even in residential neighbourhoods
– then one of children’s main opportunities for everyday play is
taken away. We are encouraging local communities to reclaim the
streets for their children’.
To mark the day, Play England – which coordinates Playday – will
be releasing new findings on the play opportunities for children
and young people in their neighbourhoods. Play England will also be
publishing specially commissioned research on the benefits and
barriers to street play, and what we should be doing to compensate
for the loss of play space in recent years.
-Ends-
Notes for editors:
- To arrange an interview with a Playday expert, call Clare
Quarrell on 020 7843 6044/6079 or email media@ncb.org.uk.
- New statistical research on children and young people’s views
on playing outside, the Our streets too! research review, and the
top tips for parents will be available from Monday 30 July.
Photographs will also be available from Monday 30
July.
- For further information on specific local Playday events visit
the Playday website at http://www.playday.org.uk/
- Playday is coordinated by Play England, based at the National
Children’s Bureau, working in partnership with PlayBoard Northern
Ireland, Play Scotland and Play Wales. Now in its 20th year, the
national campaign involves thousands of children and young people
getting out to play at locally organised events. Playday events
range from small-scale neighbourhood get-togethers to large-scale
public events organised by local authorities and national
organisations.
- Play England promotes excellent free play opportunities for all
children and young people. Play England provides advice and support
to promote good practice, and works to ensure that the importance
of play is recognised by policy makers, planners and the public.
Play England is a project of the Children’s Play Council, part of
the National Children’s Bureau, and is supported by the Big Lottery
Fund. For further information visit www.playengland.org.uk
- The National Children’s Bureau promotes the voices, interests
and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect
of their lives. As an umbrella body for the children’s sector
in England and Northern Ireland, we provide essential information
on policy, research and best practice for our members and other
partners. For further information visit www.ncb.org.uk
For further information on this release contact:
Clare Quarrell, Anna Tombs or Clare Lilley, NCB Media Office
Tel: 020 7843
6044/6045/6047
Email:media@ncb.org.uk