History of London Play
London Play was first established in 1998, to be a catalyst for the 'cohesive, strategic and rational development of play provision' across London. A brief history of London Play and play in London to the present day is given below.
1998
London Play began as an organisation described by its first director Adrian Voce as 'one person with a box.' In the first annual review in 1998-99, London Play's chair Steve Macarthur explained: ‘ We are committed to building partnerships that support play projects and services throughout the city and to advocating for government policies that will support them. London's children need us to succeed.'
2004
Dr Ute Navidi became chief executive of London Play.
2005
Months of work by London Play and its director Adrian Voce culminate in the publication of the Guide to Preparing Play Strategies, by London mayor Ken Livingstone.
2007
Publication of the Children's Plan: Building brighter futures, marks a new level of commitment to play nationally, announcing the government's intention to invest £225m over three years and to publish a national play strategy.
2008
London Play celebrates its 10th birthday! Secretary of State for Children School and Families Ed Balls notes in a special message to mark the anniversary that: "play is absolutely central to my aspriation to make this the best place in the world for our children and young people to grow up."
Supplementary Planning Guidance: Providing for Children and Young People's Play and Recreation, is published by the Mayor of London to support the London Plan.
The first national Play Strategy set out the last government's vision and commitments for better play opportunities in England. This led to the establishment of the play pathfinders and playbuilders programme. Some 30 play pathfinders each had £2.1m capital and £500,000 revenue funding to provide a large adventure playground and develop at least 28 free play areas.
Another 122 playbuilders each had an average of£1.1m capital and £45,000 revenue funding with which to develop at least 22 free play areas for children aged 8-13.
2010
Coalition government freezes the Playbuilder scheme as part of its swingeing programme of cuts.
2011
The updated London Plan is published
2012
The draft Shaping Neighbourhoods: Children and Young People's Play and Informal Recreation SPG is published. It reviews of the Mayor's SPG on Providing for Children and Young People's Play and Informal Recreation published in 2008 and builds on its implementation. Dr Ute Navidi left London Play.
Further content pending
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