Play in Herefordshire

Herefordshire Play Partnership

Time to discover. Space to develop. Free to have fun. Adventures to create. Fit and healthy children.

Herefordshire has a play partnership which aims to promote and support projects that deliver play to 0-19 year olds throughout the county. The partnership is facilitated by Herefordshire Council and consists of a group of organisations that already work with children and understand their needs in relation to play.

The partnership works with agencies, communities, children and young people to help meet needs and promote regular access to free, inclusive local play facilities and services.

Our aim is to

• help individuals or groups develop free, open access play and youth opportunities
• advise on funding opportunities
• coordinate partnerships to deliver services in play
• advise and support play events
• advise on developing outdoor play space
• champion and promote play and youth activities
• help to make Herefordshire one of the best places for families to live and children and young people to grow

Why Play?

Play is vital to a child's development. It improves the way they interact, communicate and develop key life skills. Play should be educational and inspirational but above all, it should be fun. Play is also healthy, social and should be freely chosen. Play can be individual or as part as a group. It can be challenging and risky.

" Playing is what I do when everyone has stopped telling me what to do"

Partners

We have a number of partners and agencies involved with the play partnership from children's centres to the police, from housing associations to communities. Other organisations we work closely with include:

The Nature Trust's Wildplay project creates playful opportunities for children across Herefordshire to explore nature outdoors.

Herefordshire Carer Support provides a range of social activities to children and young people aged 8 to 19 who have disabilities or special needs, giving them the chance to socialise with other children.

Hereford City Skate Park - a state of the art skate park for Hereford City currently under construction. Phase 2 has now been completed and can be enjoyed by all.

Herefordshire Council for Youth Volunteering Services (HCVYS) - supporting young people in their local community to set up activities and groups for themselves and their peers, making the most of their spare time.

Days Out with Dads - a group of dads, largely from South Herefordshire who regularly meet and enjoy activities with their children. The group is working hard on a volunteer basis to extend their service to all dads in the county who are interested in the play activities.

Play space design

We also have experience, expertise and knowledge of play space design from consultancy with children, young people and communities to final design of site specific projects.

Recently improved or new play spaces in Herefordshire:

• Hereford, King George V Playing Fields
• Hereford, Northolme Community Centre, Belmont
• Hereford, Prospect Walk, Tupsley
• Hereford, Central Avenue, St. James'
• Leominster, Baron's Cross
• Ledbury recreation ground
• Bromyard recreation ground
• Kington, Crooked Well Meadow
• Ross-on-Wye, Roman Way
• Credenhill, Roman Park
• Peterchurch recreation ground
• Lyonshall village