In Leeds, the vibrant ‘Play Together, Talk Together’ initiative has introduced seven interactive, nature-themed play installations that enrich early childhood development while strengthening bonds between children and caregivers. Launched with the support of Leeds City Council and Nesta, this project transforms the Compton Centre Community Hub & Library into a playful learning space, inviting families to engage in joyful activities that foster language skills and creativity.
What is the ‘Play Together, Talk Together’ initiative in Leeds?
The ‘Play Together, Talk Together’ initiative in Leeds is a transformative community scheme aimed at enhancing early childhood development through interactive installations. These nature-themed play structures, designed by Playful Anywhere and Play Explore Art, foster connections between children and caregivers while promoting language and communication skills. The project, backed by Leeds City Council and Nesta, also encourages playful learning at home and supports the city’s commitment to child-friendly spaces.
Enhancing Early Years Development through Playful Interaction
The city of Leeds has recently witnessed the inauguration of a transformative scheme within its local community, particularly focused on fostering early childhood development. The ‘Play Together, Talk Together’ initiative, brought to life by the joint efforts of Leeds City Council and Nesta, the UK’s innovation agency for social good, introduces seven interactive installations. These installations are not mere play structures but are thoughtfully designed to nurture the bond between children and caregivers.
The creative forces behind the nature-themed installations are Playful Anywhere and Play Explore Art, who were commissioned to spearhead this endeavor. Each installation is unique, featuring elements such as laminated visuals, sensory panels, and sound tubes, all intricately placed in the grounds of the Compton Centre Community Hub & Library in Harehills. These features are strategically purposed to stimulate pivotal moments of connection while bolstering language and communication development in the early years.
Adding to the interactive experience, stepping stone trails have been fashioned to offer a physical nexus between the various play spots and the Compton Centre itself. This intentional design invites young explorers to venture into the children’s library, thus igniting their imagination further through the power of reading and storytelling.
Community Engagement and Support
The scheme’s official launch was a significant affair, attended by Councillor Mary Harland, executive member for communities, customer service, and community safety, and Julie Longworth, the council’s director of children and families. They were accompanied by Tom Symons, deputy director of fairer start at Nesta, and the children from the Little Owls nursery in Harehills, who had the opportunity to test the new installations.
Local residents played a pivotal role in shaping this project. A series of innovative engagement sessions were conducted by Playful Anywhere and Play Explore Art for children and their caregivers, which directly influenced the design process. The staff from the Compton Centre, Leeds Libraries, children’s services, and public health teams, along with the Children’s Speech and Language Therapy Service at the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, contributed their expertise and backing.
This collective effort aimed not only to create a space for play but also to encourage continued playful learning at home. In line with this objective, a series of leaflets were produced to provide families with ideas for games and activities, using everyday household items, thus extending the learning environment beyond the installations.
A Commitment to Child-Friendly Spaces and Playful Learning
The words of Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, resonate the sentiments behind the project: “As the Play Champion for Leeds, I’m so pleased to see this scheme making a positive difference by supporting early years learning, bringing people together and, most importantly, putting smiles on young faces.” She emphasized the collaborative effort, thanking Nesta and all partners involved, and highlighting the importance of the community’s role in the development process.
Similarly, Sarah Cattan, director of fairer start at Nesta, emphasized the role of creative play in child development. She underscored the value parents place on developmental opportunities and expressed hope that the installations would trigger joyful, educational experiences. The input from local families was crucial, with their interactions during engagement sessions directly inspiring the design of the installations.
The initiative is part of the broader ‘A Fairer Start Local’ project started in 2021, combining Nesta’s expertise with the council’s local insights. The goal is to ensure that children from all backgrounds achieve a solid foundation for social, emotional, and cognitive growth. This aligns with the council’s ‘Child Friendly Leeds’ program, started in 2012, aimed at making Leeds an exemplary city for children to grow up in.
The program has seen notable success, with over 5,000 attendees at Child Friendly Leeds events in 2023 and the coordination of substantial funding for play projects. The initiative has even garnered acclaim from the Princess of Wales for its child-centered approach. Following a broad consultation, Child Friendly Leeds launched an action plan in 2022, prioritizing the provision of safe play spaces.
The significance of play in child development is universally acknowledged, setting the stage for future life stages.
About Nesta
For more information about the organization that played a pivotal role in this initiative, Nesta is recognized as the UK’s innovation agency for social good. They have dedicated themselves to designing, testing, and scaling solutions to some of society’s most pressing issues. Their focus spans across three critical missions: ensuring every child receives a fair start, promoting healthy lives, and striving for a sustainable future where the economy benefits both people and the planet.
Nesta takes on multiple roles—working as an innovation partner to frontline organizations, supporting new and early-stage businesses as a venture builder, and shaping the ecosystem for innovation to flourish. For further information about Nesta, click here.
ENDS
- The ‘Play Together, Talk Together’ initiative in Leeds has introduced seven interactive, nature-themed play installations aimed at enhancing early childhood development.
- This project is backed by Leeds City Council and Nesta, transforming the Compton Centre Community Hub & Library into a space for playful learning.
- Playful Anywhere and Play Explore Art designed the installations to promote connections between children and caregivers while bolstering language and communication skills.
- Local residents played a key role in shaping the project through innovative engagement sessions that influenced the design of the installations.
- The initiative is part of the broader ‘A Fairer Start Local’ project, which aims to ensure all children achieve a solid foundation for social, emotional, and cognitive growth.