The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Diana Lockyer-Nibbs has opened an exciting new children’s roundabout at Sutherland Memorial Park, offering accessible play for all. This year, the mayor has chosen inclusive play as a theme of her administration and she is committed to improving children’s access to play.
Cllr Lockyer-Nibbs added, “I believe that all children should have access to a range of play opportunities which they can enjoy together safely. I’m delighted to open the new ability roundabout at Sutherland Memorial Park and I hope that all local children, including those with a disability, will enjoy spending time at the park with their friends and parents. As my Mayoral Project is that everyone will have a smile.”
Guildford Borough Council is promoting and celebrating inclusive play this spring through its own play services, with a focus on access to indoor and outdoor play for children across the borough. It is important to remember that the principles of inclusion applies to children of all abilities, ethnic and social backgrounds and ages, as people’s perceptions can often focus on disabled children only.
Events like the recent Love Outdoor Play Week have offered opportunities to discover the fun of playing outdoors and the PlayRangers after-school sessions continue to welcome dozens of children from across the borough every week. The PlayRangers deliver free weekly outdoor play sessions at five sites across Guildford every day in school term time. Activities include bushcraft skills, cooking on the firebowl, woodland crafts and playground games.
Also, The Council’s FISH (Fun in the School Holidays) playscheme offers a week of action packed play and activities for 10 to 16 year olds this Easter. FISH is suitable for all and offers additional support for young people with a disability or additional needs. To book, parents or guardians can visit HERE.
Cllr Matt Furniss, Lead Councillor for Environment has commented saying, “We recognise that while not every child will always be able to take part in every activity, an inclusive service should offer everyone a choice of things to do. This has been a fantastic project to provide play equipment for children who previously could not take part locally.”
James Martin