Leeds City Council has launched a pioneering Play Sufficiency Action Plan, appointing Councillor Fiona Venner as the new Leeds Play Champion to ensure children’s well-being. The plan aims to optimize play opportunities, address ‘poverty of experience’, and embed play sufficiency in city governance, setting Leeds as a leading child-friendly city in England.
What is Leeds City Council’s initiative for child welfare?
Leeds City Council has launched a pioneering Play Sufficiency Action Plan, appointing Councillor Fiona Venner as the new Leeds Play Champion to ensure children’s well-being. The plan aims to optimize play opportunities, address ‘poverty of experience’, and embed play sufficiency in city governance, setting Leeds as a leading child-friendly city in England.
Leeds Sets a Precedent with Play Sufficiency Action Plan
The city of Leeds has taken a pioneering step in ensuring the wellbeing of its younger residents by committing to the development of a play sufficiency action plan. This initiative was approved by senior councillors during the recent meeting of Leeds City Council’s executive board. Recognizing play as a fundamental aspect of childhood development, the action plan is a bold stride towards optimizing play opportunities for children and young people across the city.
The action plan emerges against a backdrop of understanding that a ‘poverty of experience’ can have significant negative effects on children and young people. To address this, the council is taking measures to deepen its understanding of children’s play experiences. By doing so, they aim to address the challenges and enhance the quality of play within the city.
Leeds stands out as the first city in England to take such a dedicated approach. This commitment to play sufficiency is not just a local policy but a statement of intent that places Leeds at the forefront of child-friendly city initiatives. The city’s dedication to this cause is evident in the extensive research conducted, which includes over 50 hours of focus group discussions with children, parents, carers, and front-line workers, as well as close to 900 survey responses collected to inform the process.
Strategic Priorities and Cross-Council Approach
Out of the diligent research and consultation process, nine strategic play priorities have been identified for Leeds. The priorities are comprehensive, addressing various aspects of play that can improve children’s experiences throughout the city. One such priority is the creation of safer, more welcoming streets that encourage children’s play. Another is enhancing access to nature-based play environments, which are crucial for holistic development and fostering a connection with the natural world.
In a groundbreaking move, Leeds has adopted a new cross-council approach that seeks to embed play sufficiency principles at the heart of council decision-making. This approach champions the rights of children and young people to access play, ensuring that it is a consideration in various aspects of city governance. The executive board’s support is reflected in the appointment of Councillor Fiona Venner as the new Leeds Play Champion.
In her new role, Councillor Venner will play a pivotal part in unifying council services, as well as public and third sector organizations, to bolster play opportunities in Leeds. Her responsibilities involve coordinating efforts across different sectors and acting as a figurehead for the play sufficiency movement within the city.
Leadership Comments on the Play Sufficiency Initiative
Key figures in the Leeds City Council have expressed their enthusiasm and commitment towards the play sufficiency initiative. Councillor Fiona Venner, the newly appointed Leeds Play Champion, shared her excitement about the project. “This is fantastic news for children and young people across Leeds,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing play for ensuring a great start in life for all children in the city. Her eagerness to work with various partners to make the Leeds play sufficiency action plan a reality was palpable.
Echoing Councillor Venner’s sentiments, Councillor Salma Arif also highlighted the centrality of play in children’s lives. “Play is at the heart of all that children want and need in life,” she remarked, underscoring the critical nature of prioritizing children’s access to play throughout Leeds. Councillor Arif pointed out that play sufficiency acts as a powerful organizing principle that aligns the city’s policies, strategies, and partnerships.
Furthermore, Councillor Arif drew attention to the wider benefits of the play sufficiency action plan. It supports the ‘Marmot City’ approach, which focuses on reducing health inequalities, particularly among children. The integration of play sufficiency into this broader context demonstrates the council’s holistic approach to child welfare and its determination to create a child-friendly city that caters to all facets of a child’s life.
In summary, Leeds City Council’s executive board’s approval of the play sufficiency action plan and the appointment of a dedicated play champion mark significant milestones in the city’s commitment to child welfare. These developments are poised to have a lasting impact on the children and young people of Leeds, enriching their lives through the fundamental joy of play.
- Leeds City Council has launched a Play Sufficiency Action Plan to ensure children’s well-being and optimize play opportunities.
- The plan aims to address ‘poverty of experience’ and embed play sufficiency in city governance.
- Leeds is the first city in England to take such a dedicated approach to play sufficiency.
- The action plan includes nine strategic play priorities, such as creating safer streets and enhancing access to nature-based play environments.
- Councillor Fiona Venner has been appointed as the new Leeds Play Champion to coordinate efforts and act as a figurehead for the play sufficiency movement.