Clean It Up!

On 1^st September this year, Soozy Lai from the Aberdeen Play Forum teamed up with a group of children and a mum, local to Marchburn Park in Northfield.The crew were fully kitted out in protective clothing, before beginning their work of spray-painting "Clean It Up!" stencils on to the ground at the entrances to Marchburn Park, which is situated between Marchburn Crescent, Westerton Crescent, Waulkmill Crescent and Bannerman Place.

more info...
 

Dog Fouling Campaign

Helen Polson from the Tillydrone Community Flat and Soozy Lai from the Aberdeen Play Forum teamed up with six children from the Breakfast Club and Riverbank Primary, three mums and two City Wardensto help combat the serious issue of dog-fouling on our streets and places where children play.

more info . . .

Refurbishing Seaton Backies 

The community in Seaton got together on the 30^th of June 2011 to improve one of their "backies" which was sorely in need of refurbishment.

The group worked hard to paint the equipment, install planters and benches, and then the play area was used by Soozy Lai, Aberdeen Play Forum's Play Development Worker for free play activities.Aberdeen City Council provided the paint and protective equipment to support the work of the Community.

The photos show the dramatic change that was made to the area by the volunteers, and this work is part of a larger plan to improve other play spaces within Seaton.

The quote from one of the Seaton mothers when asked what was hoped would be achieved by improving some of the play spaces "It will deliver happier, healthier children with happier, healthier mothers."

The Backies Project is supported by Seaton Community Project, Aberdeen Play Forum, Aberdeen Greenspace, Seaton Arts and History Project, Seaton Parents Group and STAR Community Flat.

If you are interested in finding out more about the work of Aberdeen Play Forum or the Seaton Backies project, please contact cherie.morgan@aberlour.org.uk

Play on the Longest Day

Printfield Community Project celebrated "Play on the longest day – Scotland's First National Playday" on Tuesday the 21st of June 2011 from 11am till 3pm.

With financial support from Aberdeen Play Forum the first part of the day took place in the large grassy community play park behind the project. Unfortunately as often happens, it started to rain, so activities were moved inside to the project portacabin. These activities included games, face painting, drumming and art activities. The children created a Playday banner and braved the very wet weather to play football.

Stuart Patterson, Aberdeen Play Forum Chairperson attended the day, as did Cherie Morgan, Play Development Worker for the Play Forum.

Overall 30 children attended the day and enjoyed learning new skills – painting and drumming, but more importantly having FUN!!!

Thanks to those who supported the day – Dezibells Drummers, Aberdeen City Arts Development Workers, Printfield Community Project and their workers, Aberdeen Play Forum, but most of all the children and parents for coming along to enjoy the day.

It is hoped that more activities will be organised for future years to celebrate the importance of play.

Must See Programme for Playworkers

On Thursday 9th September 2010, BBC2 is showing 'Gareth Malone's Extraordinary School for Boys' which discusses the differences between girls' and boys' development. Malone suggests that boys could be better encouraged by making school more adventurous and allowing them to take risks.

You can read more about the programme here and about adventure play at www.adventureplay.org.uk.