Ludicology

Play research and spatial developments

Wednesday September 6, 2023

Over the past decade, we have produced research at neighbourhood, local authority, and national levels. We have tried to include a representative range of the work and clients in this blog, take a look if you are interested to find out the sorts of research we have been involved in or led on.

Talgarth and District Regeneration Group. Neighbourhood play sufficiency assessments across three rural communities. Completed 2023.

Fall into Place and Leeds City Council. A participatory action research project exploring adult resident’s views about the possibilities for play streets. Completed 2023.

Cheshire West and Chester Council. Creative mapping with children and families to inform a review of the city plan. Completed 2022.

Flintshire County Council. Holway adventure playground consultation and development plans. Completed 2022.

Align Property Partners. Spatial design and research consultancy for a large-scale public realm redevelopment. Completed 2022.

Ty Pawb, Wrexham. Spatial design and risk management advice for the ‘Useful Art Space’. Completed 2021.

We Are Plas Madoc (WAPM). Review and redevelopment of the organisation’s operational plan, including identification of funding priorities. 2021.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Researching the play experiences of children with protected characteristics. Completed 2021.

Cascade Productions. Spatial design consultancy for the new Chester Market. Completed 2021.

Play Wales. Working with Dr Wendy Russell and Charlotte Derry (Playful Places) researching what makes it possible for local authorities to respond to the Welsh Play Sufficiency Duty. Completed 2020.

Ty Pawb, Wrexham. Operational planning for the Play-Work exhibition at Ty Pawb in Wrexham, including the design and co-construction of an adventure playground-style playscape in the main art gallery. Completed 2020.

Play Wales. Working with Dr Wendy Russell and Charlotte Derry (Playful Places) researching changes in Wales since the introduction of the Welsh Play Sufficiency Duty. Completed 2019.

Ty Pawb, Wrexham. Design of playful social distancing measures in response to Covid-19 restrictions. Completed 2020.

Wrexham County Borough Council. Neighbourhood play sufficiency assessment of a single electoral ward. Completed 2019.

Flintshire County Council and Play Wales. Researching the play experiences of younger and older children to inform the local authority’s play sufficiency assessment. Completed 2019.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Research exploring the accessibility of existing staffed out-of-school provision that has the potential to support disabled children’s play. Completed 2019.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Full local authority play sufficiency assessment, including production of a summary version and action plan. Completed 2019.

Wrexham County Borough Council. Research to inform the local authority’s third play sufficiency assessment, including focus groups with policy leads evaluating local authority systems and a detailed analysis of the children’s satisfaction survey. Completed 2019.

Chester Zoo. Evaluating play interventions at Chester Zoo and making recommendations as to how the zoo may further develop a culture of play. Completed 2018

Nils Norman. Community engagement support and spatial design consultancy for the Mereside regeneration project in Blackpool. Completed 2017.

 

Chester Zoo. Pre-intervention research at Chester Zoo, investigating people’s existing use of space and children’s play preferences to inform design recommendations. Completed 2016.

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" Working with Ludicology on the play designs for Mereside, Blackpool was an important component of the project. Mike and Ben are a pleasure to work with, their experience and knowledge of play related issues and design is invaluable and unique. They are also both skilful workshop leaders and – importantly – fun to work with. "Nils Norman, Artist working across public art, architecture & urban planning

" Play Scotland was delighted to welcome Mike Barclay & Ben Tawil to Scotland recently to talk about their work measuring Play Sufficiency. The aim is clear-more children playing together more of the time! Ben and Mike offer simple steps to meet the ongoing challenge of improving the ability of adults to identify and develop ways in which they can better respond to children’s right to play. Uplifting and enthusiastic presenters, we had fantastic feedback on this inspirational presentation. "Marguerite Hunter Blair, CEO Play Scotland

" I don’t know what was going on in there but you could hear them all laughing at the other end of the building! (feedback from Managing Risk in Play training) "Sharon McCluskie, Information & Communications, Play Scotland

" Brymbo Heritage Trust worked with the Ludicology team across 2018 and 2019 to explore ways of incorporating play and playfulness within an industrial heritage visitor attraction and community park. They made us laugh, helped us rediscover the child within us (easier for some of us!) and see our proposals through children’s eyes. As a result we have a far more inclusive set of plans going forward, and a stronger team to boot. "Gary Brown, CEO Brymbo Heritage Trust

" Ludicology's research and development work on the Welsh Play Sufficiency Duty is fantastic. They bring insider knowledge, experience of real and innovative actions, and a conceptual approach focusing on conditions that support children's play. Plus, they are wonderful to work with, combining commitment, energy, creativity and playfulness. "Dr Wendy Russell

" Mike and Ben take a rigorous approach to play which at ZCD Architects we find extremely valuable. Their work is transformative, accessible and transferable and has helped us to position children’s play more strategically in terms of planning and design in London. "Dinah Bornat, co-founder of ZCD Architects and a Design Advocate for the Mayor of London

" Thanks to Ludicology for providing supervision and mentoring sessions for us at The Land. The service provided is truly excellent and includes the opportunity to reflect, test out new strategies and manage pressures - not forgetting the moral support and the assistance with staff and policy development. When it comes to play and playwork these guys have all the answers! Plus, they're pretty cool to be around 🙂 "Claire Pugh, ‘The Land’, Plas Madoc

" Mike and Ben have a particular knack for engaging with children to understand their needs for play and independence in the built environment. These practical skills are complimented by a rigorous academic approach to analysing data and reporting. "Helen Forman, Urban Design Manager, Leeds

" I just want to say the biggest thank to Ben and Mike for bringing their expertise and general magic to our Play-Work exhibition, right from planning stage and install, bringing all the stakeholders together, designing and building the space, advice throughout and for their involvement in the end of exhibition conference. It’s been a privilege working with them both and I’m looking forward to more shared projects in the future. "Jo Marsh, Creative Director at Tŷ Pawb

" Mike and Ben were great to work with. Having their more independent review of what was happening in terms of play at zoo bit, before and after our major campaign interventions, was really valuable in supporting us to develop our approach. Their supportive yet challenging approach also enabled us to work through what we needed to document about our approach to play, to ensure we could drive it forwards in the longer term. "Charlotte Smith, Head of Discovery and Learning at Chester Zoo

" The Loose Parts Play in Schools training inspired us. This is such an exciting venture for us and something that I strongly believe will transform behaviour on the playground, as well as improving the resilience, problem-solving skills and wellbeing of our children and staff. Ludicology training is highly recommended to all colleagues. At Gwaunfarren, this loose parts approach will play a pivotal role in the day to day running of the school. "Louise Bibby, Head Teacher at Gwaunfarren Primary School

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Ludicology support those interested in play and playfulness to develop evidence based play centred policies and practices through our advice, research and training services. Use this form to get in touch and to let us know what kind of support you require.

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