Government allocates funds to encourage outdoor play

The Big Society Fund money has been handed to the Play England Free Time Consortium, to recruit more than 20,000 volunteers to run holiday play schemes, organise street parties, help at adventure playgrounds or become involved with the running of play organisations as a trustee.

Volunteers will also help build new play areas such as digging paddling pools and making rope swings. Young people as well as adults are being encouraged to become volunteers.

Projects that have influenced the allocation include the Shiremoor Adventure Playground in North Tyneside, where volunteers run weekly youth work sessions.

Minister for civil society Nick Hurd said: "Over the past 10 years a culture of red tape has stifled the freedom of children to climb trees, make dens and enjoy the simple pleasure of outdoor play."

The Play England coordinated consortium is made up of 17 local play organisations.

According to Play England research from 2007, just a fifth of children play outdoors every day near their home, compared to 71 per cent of their parents when they were a child.

Play England director Catherine Prisk said: "Playing outside, chalking on the pavement, climbing trees and riding your bike are simple pleasures that many of today’s children are missing out on.

"Play is essential for children's health and happiness now, and is also essential for making friends, building key skills for the future and for feeling you are part of a community."

This latest move comes as councils are dramatically reducing their play budgets. This week the London Borough of Camden announced a £2.8m cut in its play budget. The council is to axe its universal play provision and instead target resources at disabled children and those living in low-income families.

A report by Play England released late last year also revealed resistance from residents to many play initiatives.

Around a fifth of areas involved in the Big Lottery Fund’s Children’s Play programme projects faced such pressure from residents.

Planning permission was refused in some cases over residents’ concerns about schemes attracting anti-social behaviour.