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February 2020 Stepping up the Play Must Stay campaign
Play Must Stay campaign intensifies during winter months The Association of Play Industries (API) is once again joining forces with Leyla Preston, founder of online parenting platform Motherhood Diaries and social media influencer, to launch a new winter campaign. The campaign highlights the need to get children outdoors and playing in playgrounds over the cold winter months. API Chair Mark Hardy says: ‘Our Play Must Stay campaign has showed that parents are becoming increasingly concerned with the steep decline in public playgrounds. “With the vast majority of families living in urban areas, community playgrounds are often their only chance to get their children playing outdoors and the winter months present even more challenges. “Without access to free, local, high-quality outdoor play facilities, children can spend most of the winter cooped up indoors. The closure of hundreds of playgrounds across the UK means that the reality for many families is that children are
not even getting the minimum recommended amount of daily exercise. In the midst of a childhood obesity epidemic and rising mental health problems, we are calling on the government to urgently invest in public play provision before it’s too late.”
Winter play in playgrounds means that children escape indoor germs, benefit from the fresh air, get an essential dose of vitamin D and, of course, the chance to play, learn and let off steam.
Leyla adds: “Last year our summer project explored how less screen time and more time spent in playgrounds impacted not only my two boys’ lives but our family as a whole. I saw a dramatic difference in their health and wellbeing. My children were happier, they slept better and their behaviour improved.
“Playgrounds are also focal points and meeting places for communities; when children spend time excessive time indoors they are denied the social interaction so necessary for their normal development,” says Leyla. “Playing outside and making friends are the building blocks of a healthy childhood.
“I know that many parents are waiting for this debate to take place; so many of us know that our children are not outside enough and spend far too much time indoors and on screens, especially in winter. Parents need and deserve support to turn this around. We have wonderful playgrounds in the UK that we need to value and protect, as well as campaign for government investment in them before they disappear for good. API
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Sutcliffe Play
Astrea Academy is a new-build and refurbishment project in the north-east of Sheffield, which in time will become one of the city’s biggest schools taking children from nursery age up to sixth form.
Major investment to help poorest children get active Children from some of the poorest areas in England will have the chance to get physically active by trying a wider range of sports that may not have traditionally been accessible in their area. Sport England has awarded £500,000 of National Lottery funding to UK charity Sport Inspired Open in a new window to help more than 9,000 children, young people and families live happier, healthier lives through sport.
With the expected levels of growth came the need for vision and future proofing for the school’s infrastructure, this included flooring for the allimportant indoor sports facilities that the academy provides for both pupils and staff alike.
Being a P3 category sports floor Taraflex® Comfort offers the highest levels of comfort and shock absorption to prevent
Planning your new playgroud
“Mentally and physically children benefit from playgrounds – making for happy children and happy parents! This winter campaign I’ll be exploring all the challenges parents face and engaging with parents to support the Play Must Stay campaign for playground funding.”
Gerflor see school success with Taraflex® Comfort
The project would see Gerflor supply 550m2 of its Taraflex® Comfort vinyl sports flooring in Teal for the academy’s sports hall, with a further 250m2 in Oak chosen for the gym area.
Wicksteed
long-term injuries and immediate injuries on impact. Gerflor
The charity, which was set up in 2008, delivers programmes in places where children have the fewest opportunities, bringing together different parts of the community to create longerterm change.
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Following one-day sports festivals – events that give young people the opportunity to try a range of activities like parkour, martial arts and fencing – regular and sustainable sports programmes are set up in schools. Mike Diaper, Sport England’s executive director of children and young people, said: “The project will focus on the communities who are most in need, working with local schools, sport clubs and community partners to provide more opportunities for local young people to access sport or physical activity. “The focus will be on celebrating the joy of taking part. Our research shows that enjoyment above competence is the main driver in children getting and staying active.” Sport England
First special Cruyff Court
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Jupiter Play The new FA Sutu
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