Notes

THE importance of “play for the sake of playing” was examined at an event with pop-up adventure playgrounds, hula hoops, bubble machines and the research behind all the fun at Edge Hill University.

Specialist practitioners and academics were on hand to explain why playing, colouring, making and simply enjoying yourself is important at the play symposium in the faculty of health and social care.

The aim of the event was to celebrate play, from childhood to adulthood, and raising awareness of play as a fundamental human right; considering the wider holistic benefits of play including therapeutic uses and supporting resilience, mental health and wellbeing.

The symposium featured guest speaker Suzanna Law, one of the founders of the UK charity Pop-up Adventure Play.

The pop up adventure playground model is a temporary play space that can be set up anywhere for open-ended play with loose parts and materials, and supervised by playworkers.

Standing next to a homemade playground comprising sturdy tubes and recycled materials, she explained the work of the charity.

The event was organised by Hayley McKenzie and Laura Ashton-Goldthorpe as part of the programme of study for students in child health and wellbeing and health and social wellbeing degrees.