Prioritising play
Redbridge (London), United Kingdom
Best practice - Play & leisure
In the London Borough of Redbridge, where the council is being supported by the Child Friendly Cities & Communities programme to reach thousands of children to hear what they want changed in their local area, play consistently tops the list.
This is as true for the borough’s youngest children as it is for older age groups, who frame play as “more things to do” or “places to go with friends”.
These young voices have filtered back to decision-makers, pushing play up the council’s agenda. Changes have been made so that all new play opportunities in the borough are now designed by their undisputed play experts: local children.
A recent high street redevelopment saw schoolchildren exploring and testing the areas designated for new play equipment before final plans were submitted. Once the locations were agreed, children were invited back to meet the contractors and give their views on the proposed play equipment. Shape and pinball play panels were scrapped, while talk tubes were added to the list.
