Playday 2010 research
New figures released for Playday 2010 reveal that
the loss of community spirit in Britain is leading to children not
being allowed to play outside where they live.
An ICM survey commissioned by Play England, found that 79% of
adults believe community spirit has weakened since they were a
child. This is compounded by the fact that nearly half of men (44%)
and 28% of women would be wary to help a child in need of
assistance in their neighbourhood, in case they were suspected of
attempting to abduct the child.
The research also found that 47% of adults think it is unsafe
for children to play out without supervision, and that 1 in 3 (37%)
parents are concerned they will be judged by their neighbours if
they let their children play out unsupervised.
71% of children worry about being followed or taken by
strangers, but despite evident fears, nearly three quarters of
children (73%) say they would like to play out more where they
live.
The research demonstrates a resounding call for communities to
pull together to create better places for children to grow up, with
a belief that improving opportunities for children to play outside
would improve neighbourhoods in general. 81% of adults believe
children playing outside helps to improve community spirit and 70%
think that it makes an area more desirable to live in.
Download the Playday 2010 research reports:
Playday 2010
opinion poll summary [95KB]
Making
it our place - communities talk about
play [371KB]
Community play -
a literature review [543KB]
For more findings, go to:
Playday 2009 research
Playday 2008 research
Playday 2007 research
Playday 2006 research