This summer, Play Wales received the crushing news it would no longer receive Welsh government funding. The organisation, which carries out Wales-wide research into play as well as supporting local play initiatives, now faces closure at the end of September.
The financial problems it is facing will be a familiar story for those involved in national play support in England. During the previous Labour government, Play Wales's English equivalent, Play England, was a thriving organisation, with about 70 staff prior to 2010.
According to 2009/10 accounts, it had an annual income of £6.7m, including a £2.4m grant from the then Department for Children, Schools and Families. But a change of government and austerity measures hit hard. In 2010 direct government funding ended, staff numbers decreased and it moved from being hosted by the National Children's Bureau to becoming a limited company and now an independent charity with just one staff member, programme development manager Steven Chown. So what are the implications for national bodies no longer supported to advocate play?
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