Play streets on-line forum

We host a quarterly online forum for people who are enabling or growing play streets or playing out sessions.

It is held on Zoom, and is a friendly, interactive opportunity to meet others around the UK (and beyond!) working on similar projects, share inspiration, challenges and ask questions.

“As a council officer responsible for trialling our area’s first ever Play Streets trials, I have found the information, toolkit, resources, and networking opportunities, absolutely invaluable!“

We have around 100 people on the mailing list, with roughly 15-20 attending each time and lively discussions!

Please email Alison Stenning ([email protected]) to join the mailing list or find out more.

1.5 hours, quarterly

Purpose of the forum

A quarterly opportunity for anyone working on play streets to get together, network, share learning and inspiration, trouble shoot and hear other people’s stories from around the UK. The kinds of topics we will cover include: how to promote and grow play streets, how to support others to organise play streets (including those in the most disadvantaged /challenging circumstances), what kit is needed/ desirable, how to get your council on board, how to set up a play street policy, working relationships between the council and third/ community sector, amongst many others.

Equality, diversity and inclusion will be a strong thread running through the forum. At least half the sessions will have a direct focus on enabling and supporting communities that face greater disadvantage  but  perspectives and contributions on this will be welcome at all sessions. More on this below.

 

Who is it for?

Anyone who is trying to grow, enable, support play streets in any part of the UK (or beyond is welcome too, but this is generally a UK specific group)

This might include:

• Community activators supporting/growing play streets beyond their own street
• Third sector or community/ voluntary organisations
• Council officers (often public health, communities, active travel/ streets, and sometimes highways)

Many are working in a paid capacity, but not everyone. All contributors are welcome and valued equally.

If you want to join and you are completely new to play streets, please learn about how they’re organised, by reading/ watching all our accessible resources here.

 

Who is it not for?

This group would not be suitable for those wanting to plan a play street on their own street only, as it won’t be explaining how to organise a play street. However, if you are getting started in a new area, you may find it useful to get support, learn about how to get your council on board and how to grow the play streets idea.

Support for individual play street organisers is available through:

• All the free resources on our website: watch our videos and read our manual here
• Peer- support from other play street organisers across the UK: find out about our Facebook and WhatsApp networks here
• In some places, local support from your council or other organisations 

 

How does it work?

Sessions are held once a quarter on zoom, lasting 1.5 hours, on a Wednesday or Thursday morning from 10-11.30am. They are hosted by Alison – an experienced play street activator and PO board member. Alison has spent years organising and growing play streets in North Tyneside as a parent and activator and has also researched the impact of play streets as an academic. You can read her story here.

There is always a round of introductions at the start, so we can all have a sense of who’s “in the room” and where people are up to in their play streets journey. This will usually be followed by focus on one or two people working on play streets in some of the UK, who give a short talk about 15mins to share their experiences, followed by plenty of time for questions and discussion. All participants will have a chance to ask any specific questions or present challenges you are facing with play streets in your area.

It is a very friendly, informal group of people who have loads to share, and no question is too silly! We do ask if you can try to keep your camera on and be present for the session, that is very helpful to create a sense of working together, but it’s not obligatory.

The forums have been running for over two years already, and are very well attended, lively sessions, usually with around 15-20 people from councils and community organisations.

 

Do I have to come to every session?

No, you can choose. If you want to join the list, you email Alison on [email protected], she will add you to the mailing list and you’ll receive emails telling you about upcoming sessions and the speakers, along with calendar invitations. For any sessions which seem useful to you and you are available, you can accept the calendar invitation and come along!

 

Will I learn about how to support communities who are facing greater disadvantage/ in more complex circumstances?

Yes, for at least half the sessions, we will aim to have a speaker who is working directly in this area, and at all sessions, those attending can .  bring their own expertise in this area to share with participants.

To learn more about this area, you can also read our case studies and resources below:

• Play streets for community development toolkit
• Playing out on estates
• Support others to do play streets

 

Sounds great, how I do sign up?

Email Alison Stenning – [email protected] – and she will add you to the mailing list and let you know about the next upcoming session.