Encouraging state of playwork in the UK

Over the course of the last 15 years, the UK Playwork sector has experienced significant reductions in public spending, which has led to the closure of many community-based play projects. National bodies, representing the field, particularly in England, have been pared back in terms of scope and influence, and children's play and playwork have fallen down the political pecking order. Never to be deterred, however, the playwork sector has rallied and features a number of examples of play projects and organisations that have grown in size and influence during these lean times. This paper discusses a particular example of the playwork sector's resilience in the face of adversity, namely the development of the first UK-wide Adventure Playground Network, and discusses the encouraging state of playwork in the UK.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2024.2388951