News

Play England looking to appoint independent chair and directors

Play England is looking to strengthen its governance and leadership by adding to its senior leadership team.

The organisation is seeking to recruit and appoint an Independent Chair and two independent directors.

“We are looking for people primarily from outside the play sector who can bring fresh perspectives, expertise, and constructive challenge,” Play England said in a statement.

“These roles will help us deliver our mission to re-norm play in England, champion children’s right to play, and influence the systems and structures that shape childhood.”

Earlier this year, Play England published its 10-year strategy, It All Starts with Play!. According to Eugene Minogue, Play England’s Executive Director, the move to appoint independent professionals marks the increasing importance of play in national policy discussions.

“It is an exciting time to be part of Play England,” Minogue said.

“With play increasingly recognised in policy debates and public life, we need talented people who can bring independent perspectives, expertise and strong networks.

“For the independent roles, we aren’t looking for ‘play experts’ — we already have those on our Board. Instead, we are looking for people who share our values and can bring skills in areas like governance, law, finance and risk.”

Play Sufficiency amendment tabled in the House of Lords

In a major win for the play sector, the Play Sufficiency Amendment (NC82) has been reintroduced to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill during Committee Stage in the House of Lords.

Baroness Natalie Bennett tabled the amendment following sustained leadership from Play England.

According to Eugene Minogue, Play England’s Executive Director, the move marks a “critical step” forward in Play England’s objective to restore a play-based childhood for every child in England by 2035.

“This reintroduction in the Lords ensures that play remains firmly on the parliamentary agenda,” he said.

Salford to be transformed into a giant game to get people active

The city of Salford will be turned into a giant game as part of Beat the Street, a novel way of increasing activity levels across a population.

People of all ages are encouraged to ditch the car and walk, cycle or scoot as part of a drive to take children away from screens and back into nature.

An expected 27,000 children and adults, including 76 primary schools, are due to take part as the event gets communities connecting and exploring, and off their phones.

Around 250 beeping and flashing sensors called ‘Beat Boxes’ will be placed on lampposts around the city. Players score points by placing cards on the boxes and, the further players travel, the more points they score for their school, community, charity, or workplace team. Beat the Street encourages people of all ages to be active in their daily lives. It was devised by GP, Dr William

Bird, to make exercise and physical activity fun through gamification.

NHS research links too much screen time with sitting still and not being active — leading to weight gain and affecting sleep and concentration. Research in 2024 by ukactive also stated that two-fifths of children want to be more physically active than they currently are.

Beat the Street has now been played by more than two million people in 200 towns and cities across the UK and beyond and, typically, 13% of the population of an area takes part.

Update on NOS review published

The UK Playwork NOS Consortium has published a new information sheet that gives an update on the progress of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) on Playwork review. The information sheet (number 3) reports on activities and key achievements made since January 2025. These include the establishment of expert groups, the development of a functional map and the review and drafting of NOS. The information sheet aims to ensure the playwork sector is kept well informed, consulted and engaged throughout the NOS review process.

The UK Playwork NOS Consortium comprises Play Wales, Play Scotland, PlayBoard NI, Play England and The Playwork Foundation.

It is expected that the final NOS will be published to the UK Standards in Autumn 2025.

Westminster ball courts get inclusive upgrade

Two of Westminster’s most tired ball courts – at Churchill Gardens Estate and Church Street – are getting a new lease of life this autumn, thanks to an ambitious refurbishment project led by Play Innovation.

Work began in mid-August and the sites will soon showcase Play Innovation’s signature family-inclusive games, including Street Snooker X, Corner Skills, and the vibrant Funky Hype Multi Goals. The games have been designed to get children, young people, and families moving together in fun, creative ways.

The upgrades also include the installation of a new playing surface, Matchplay 2 – a durable, synthetic sports surface by Playrite – new fencing, floodlighting and roof netting to ensure safe, year-round play.

Marco Boi, founder of Play Innovation, said: “We’ve worked closely with the team at Westminster and taken a holistic approach to the entire project. Each location will be activated with inclusive activity workshops with local charity SportWestminster to maximise the investment by our client.”

Playboard NI looks to add finance leader

PlayBoard NI is looking to add to its senior management team as it looks to grow its reach across the region.

The lead organisation for the development and promotion of children’s play in Northern Ireland is seeking to appoint a new Director of Corporate Services & Finance.

Playboard NI said: “We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced individual to take up the role in which they will hold strategic and operational responsibility for finance, human resources and administration – ensuring strong governance, effective systems, and robust financial controls are in place to support PlayBoard’s continued growth and impact.

“They will also oversee all financial and management accounting and play a key role in organisational planning and the future strategic direction of PlayBoard.”

For more information on the role, visit: [www.playboard.org](http://www.playboard.org/)

Industry unites to call for better spaces on Playday

The UK’s leading play organisations came together during this year’s Playday to call for more inclusive and welcoming spaces where children can play freely and feel part of their communities.

Play organisations of the four home nations urged the government and local authorities to maximise opportunities for play in schools, childcare, youth settings and public spaces which are shaped by the voices, needs, and experiences of children and young people themselves.

The theme for this year’s Playday, on 6 August, was to highlight the importance of quality spaces for play.

PLAYCE celebrates anniversary with award

A project that worked with residents and used a scientific movement model to transform an underused play area in central Portsmouth into a colourful, interactive space, has celebrated its first anniversary, having recently won an award.

PLAYCE Pompey opened in July 2024 and is a versatile and colourful activity space, designed to get the community moving.

The multi-activity playground was a joint project between Portsmouth City Council and the University of Portsmouth. The design is based on a pioneering scientific model for movement developed in the Netherlands, with a focus on being accessible for people of all ages and skill levels, including those with disabilities. There are no separate play areas for different groups, but an integrated activity space for all.

The council’s Portsmouth Homes landlord service and the University worked with local residents to make sure the space would be welcomed and used – particularly by those living in the council homes that surround the area.

Hamble playground reopens

Work to replace and create a new playground at Hamble play area in Belgrave, Tamworth, has been completed. Designed by Wicksteed, the £35,000 plans will incorporate a multi-play unit with towers, connecting bridge and pole slider, swings, sensory panel, seesaw, basket seat and a rock n bowl.

The new playground – which is owned by Tamworth Borough Council – includes low level access, hand holds, plus a wider variety of new play equipment.

Councillor Lewis Smith said: “The new Hamble play area will provide a bigger playground and new equipment. The area will now provide a multitude of play experiences and imaginative play opportunities for children to enjoy.

“A local playground is a wonderful way for parents to introduce young children to playground equipment and new friends. It will be far more exhilarating than the previous play area and more inclusive too.”

Work beings to transform Worthing playground

Work has begun to transform Homefield Park playground with new play equipment chosen by the community.

Last year, Worthing Borough Council asked residents what play equipment they would like to see included as part of planned improvements to the popular park.

Thanks to the participation of more than 110 playground users sharing their views in person – as well as nearly 600 online consultation responses – the council has chosen play equipment specialist Eibe Play to design an inclusive play area that will appeal to children aged between two and 12.