ADVOCACY group, Play Worcester, has welcomed the findings of the Raising the Nation Play Commission which conducted a year-long independent inquiry into why play was critical to the wellbeing of children.
The commission was launched in June 2024 and is chaired by entrepreneur and campaigner Paul Lindley OBE – founder of baby food business Ella’s Kitchen – and worked in partnership with the Centre for Young Lives.
Details of the report
The report warns that cuts to clubs and playgrounds, busier roads, and increased fears among parents and children about safety, have left children with fewer safe places to play.
As a result, children’s independence to play outside has shrunk dramatically over the last 30 years, impacting on their health and happiness and seen an increase in screen time.
The final report calls for the Government to establish a National Play Strategy.
This would include new investment in play, part-funded by the sugar tax, a Minister for Play, a ban on ‘No Ball Games’ signs and raising the digital age of consent to 16 years old.
Play Worcester Chair, Nicola Stobbs, said: “This bold report makes it clearer than ever before that play is essential for children’s development and wellbeing.
“Enabling children to play more frequently is a cost-effective and simple way to reverse the trend of increasing mental health concerns, helping to prevent addiction to phones and screens that have anxiety hardwired into them.
“We encourage all local political leaders to take on board the recommendations of the report, consider children and play when developing local policy and help to drive cultural change.”
What Worcester thinks
Play Worcester runs regular ‘pop up play’ events to give families opportunities to access free play opportunities and to highlight the important of children’s right to play.
The group also supports residents who wish to run ‘play street’ events, where neighbours come together and provide children with a chance to play out together.
Nicola added: “In the research we have conducted with children and young people, overwhelmingly they want adventurous play and the chance to build independence.
“But too often children’s right to play is ignored, overlooked or met with hostility.”
Katie Collier, Worcester City Council Children and Young Person Champion says this report comes at a vital time for children and young people.
“We are at crisis point with young people’s mental health.
“We need to be ensuring that their voices are heard and considered. Play and child focused policy are so key to improved wellbeing for young people.”
