Dear Member,

Since last I wrote I have been in regional Sweden and across the UK. A few of these locations I am travelling back to, but will detail some highlights from the trip so far. 

Spent a day in magical natural play spaces in Orbero, a regional city 2 hours by train from Stockholm. Cannot wait to show you the photos of work being undertaken by Council in that town to transform play spaces for children (and they have agreed to do a webinar for us!!)  I saw lots of low cost, but really effective, natural play space design strategies including the subtle use of existing features in the environment to enhance play. They do of course include fixed equipment, and loved their water park play pieces and beautiful landscaping that supported they fixed equipment. 

Heading into England I was able to meet up with Eugene Minogue from Play England and discuss the new Play Sufficiency legislation being introduced in Parliament.https://www.playengland.org.uk/newsblog/a-critical-step-forward-play-sufficiency-amendment-reintroduced-in-the-lords

Very strategically this legislation refers to “play opportunities” rather than play spaces so it does not limit the development of play in England. To be frank, the state of play in England has been declining, so this legislation is seen as critical. Local Authorities have so little money that investment in parks and playspaces for some areas is non existent. I met with people who volunteer to maintain their parks.  If the legislation is passed, local authorities will need to prioritise funds for play space maintenance, still not sure how that will happen, and will be returning in a few weeks to chat with some politicians and more decision makers re this.  On the topic of local authorities, it is not all bad news, Leeds and Bradford have strong play strategies in place and seem to be leading the way when it comes to getting ahead of the game with play sufficiency. There is also a strong grass roots movement campaigning and supporting play. Leeds- Beckett University is the only institution now running a Playwork degree in UK and the team there is really proactive and involved in a number of local initiatives in the area including adventure playgrounds. Social enterprise is kicking off in regard to play and met with Playful Anywhere founder Emma Bearman https://www.playfulanywhere.fun/.  Plus, we are seeing a strong awareness in UK on the need to provide play for teenagers and consider girls in planning. I attended a forum in Leeds on the issues of planning for girls and it is certainly something we should be looking at in Aus. My report is going to contain more info on this and supporting research. In England, they have identified that by the age of 2, girls are already playing out less than boys! For teenage girls, the Mark Space for Girls Project has a range of resources worth looking at https://www.makespaceforgirls.co.uk/engagement. Definitely a topic Play Aus will commit to running some more seminars and info session on in 2026!!

Yours Playfully 

Robyn