£15m to support local play strategies

Play was given a boost this week with the announcement of a £15m grant for the Children’s Play Council to help local agencies plan for play across their region.

The grant is the first to be awarded through the Lottery’s £155m Children’s Play Initiative, which is focused on improving and developing play opportunities for children in all areas of England.

The Children’s Play Council will use the money to deliver the Play England Project over the next five years, setting up a national support and development infrastructure to give local areas the necessary backing and expertise to develop play strategies.

The organisation has identified a clear need to develop play strategies that acknowledge the wider value of play in child development, health, and social inclusion, as well as in the enjoyment of childhood.

Children’s Play Council chief executive Adrian Voce said: “This announcement is a clear sign that, at last, we as a society are taking play seriously.

“This investment should help transform play opportunities across the country, to the benefit of children and the communities in which they live.”