Our aim is to improve the quality and quantity of play provision for children and young people in Nottingham.

We do that by supporting individuals and organisations that are involved in play, including families and communities. For example, we provide play activities, resources like our Scrapstore and Arts Shop, training, advice, information and the chance for people to get together and share ideas.

We also campaign on a range of local and national issues related to play on behalf of Nottingham.

Why is play so important?

Play is an essential part of a happy childhood but it’s much more than that – it’s vital for children’s development too – physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially.

The national organisation Play England describes play as ‘what children and young people do when they follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way, for their own reasons.’

We think that’s a great description!

Children’s right to play is even enshrined in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by the UK government in 1991. That means the government has a duty under this convention to protect and promote play opportunities for all children and young people.