Play, Politics & Joy

Amber Ogunsanya-William outlines why Play England’s new 10-year strategy is a Game-Changer

Amber Ogunsanya-William Playworker and innovator

PLAY ISN’T AN AFTERTHOUGHT – IT’S THE BEATING HEART OF CHILDHOOD

Hold onto your seesaws, everyone, play is finally making waves in the political world. After years of being pushed to the sidelines, left gathering dust – like the forgotten corner of the playground with the wonky climbing frame – play sufficiency legislation and a new national play strategy are finally being thrust into the spotlight. And honestly, yes…I did get slightly emotional writing this piece and hearing about what’s coming next. The launch of the first-ever All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play isn’t just another policy discussion buried in government reports; this is the long-overdue recognition of the fundamental role of play in children’s lives. Play England and incredible advocates – such as MP Tom Hayes – are finally pushing forward what we’ve known all along. Play is not just a way to pass the time, it is a right, a force for development, a catalyst for creativity, and the foundation of childhood itself.

I grew up in an adventure playground, and that experience shaped who I am today. It was in that wild, muddy, joy-filled space that I learned what true play really means. Now, as a playworker, consultant, and advocate, I strive to make sure children everywhere get the same opportunities, because play isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential.

In January, Tom Hayes MP led the first parliamentary debate on play in over a decade. It didn’t just highlight playgrounds, it championed unstructured, adventure-filled, confidence-building, risk-taking, totally essential play. The kind where kids climb things, build forts, and most importantly, learn and grow through every moment of it.

Bob Hughes’ Play Types Framework has long recognised that rough-and-tumble play is one of the most natural and instinctual ways children develop. When kids roll around in the grass, leap from logs, or create imaginary battles in the playground, they’re not just letting off steam, they’re developing crucial social and emotional skills.

Play England’s push for a national play strategy is making serious waves, ensuring play opportunities exist everywhere. That means adventure playgrounds thriving, free play being celebrated, and playworkers being recognised for the superheroes they truly are. This isn’t just about swings and slides, it’s about shaping spaces where children feel free to explore, imagine, and discover.

AT LAST, UNSTRUCTURED, RISK-TAKING PLAY IS BEING CHAMPIONED IN PARLIAMENT

Playworkers, the true architects of childhood magic

A playworker is like the mischievous storyteller who whispers “what if?” into a child’s imagination. They curate spaces where curiosity leads the way, balancing independence with the thrill of risk-taking. They don’t just supervise play, they champion it, ensuring every child, regardless of background or ability, has the freedom to engage in meaningful and instinctual play. Whether in adventure playgrounds, schools, or community spaces, playworkers ignite confidence, spark creativity, and embrace the joyful chaos of childhood exploration.

This new national play strategy is a revolution in how we view play. We are finally shifting away from seeing it as an afterthought to embracing it as the beating heart of childhood. The joy of play is contagious, and through this strategy, playworkers, parents, educators, and policymakers alike can amplify this mission and make play a priority in every child’s life.

It’s time, finally, for play to be spoken about, protected, and celebrated. And I, for one, couldn’t be more ready for this moment.

Let’s make sure play stays on the agenda, because every child deserves a world where play is unstoppable. Who’s in?