Pathfinders and Play Builders

You may have read PLAYLINK’s response to Fair Play, a consultation on the play strategy – it is on the PLAYLINK web site – and of our concerns about key proposals, not least the Pathfinder and Playbuilder programmes. Nevertheless, at the immediate practical level, it is vital that best possible use is made of the funds now available. PLAYLINK’s own urgent task now is to deploy support where it is requested. We can do this in a number of ways, including deploying our play literate, experienced landscape architects, designers and consultants to design and implement schemes.

As will be expected, we are already helping a number of authorities, and have the capacity to assist others. Some of the ways we can help are detailed below. Others are on PLAYLINK’s web site. Do, however, feel free to contact us informally. We are happy to share our experience and thoughts. If we get to work with you, so much the better. But informal contact with play providers is always welcome.

Designs for Play - full design and implementation service delivered by PLAYLINK Associate Landscape Architects and Designers.

Local Play Space Review and Assessment - revealing the scope of possibility for existing and proposed provision in your area.

Dialogue, not consultation - the approach we use in our design commissions.

Negligence, play and risk - authoritative legal opinion to assist your authority feel more confident about offering acceptable levels of risk in play.

London Play Study Tour - a study tour of PLAYLINK's and others' designed play spaces. An opportunity to see what can be done and to raise practical questions.

Stirling Play Study Tour - the study tours have had a gratifyingly positive response. The fourth Study Tour will be held on the 11/12 September. Pathfinders and Playbuilders have priority booking status until the end of July.

Unleashing Possibility Seminars - brought to your area to engage with all stakeholders that have an impact on play provision: Members, H&S Officers, Planners, Play Officers, Third Sector. Stimulates both the mind and the heart.

Risk assessment workshops for play providers - helps practitioners' understand the risk/play equation, creating the confidence to translate knowledge into practice.

Lost conversations: some thoughts on consultation - article described by some as helpful in clearing the mental cobwebs around the ceaseless chatter about 'consultation'.

PLAYLINK works with numerous authorities and play providers in the areas of design of play schemes across settings - parks, designated playspaces, schools, nurseries - policy, Planning, and the knotty issue of risk and play.

PLAYLINK believes play spaces can and should:

• be strongly attractive places to play and simply to be
• relate to the surrounding natural or built environment
• provide materials for play that invite sustained engagement
• offer opportunities to take risks - and to be quiet and contemplative
• include equipment where appropriate
• contribute to each locality's sense of place.

« Click here to contact PLAYLINK or phone 020 7720 2452 »

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If you care to, please:

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To send your details, go to: http://www.freeplaynetwork.org.uk/playlink/contacts.htm