
Play Sufficiency and the Child Friendly City
Why and how is play sufficiency key to efforts to create truly child friendly Towns, Cities and Communities? We hope this blog makes a strong argument.
Read MoreChildren are playful and have their youth because they must play. However, the sufficiency of children’s opportunities for play is influenced by multiple interconnected factors. Studying play enables adults to cultivate the conditions that support play strategically, operationally and in their professional and everyday practices.
The Study contains our most recent and ongoing work
Why and how is play sufficiency key to efforts to create truly child friendly Towns, Cities and Communities? We hope this blog makes a strong argument.
Read MoreSally Hall, Public Health Specialist in Leeds throughout the city's initial play sufficiency assessment, recently moved to Heidelberg, Germany with her family. The move prompted Sally to reflect on the key enablers of play in cities - concluding that a shift in pa...
Read MoreChildren's time, space and permission to play has been increasingly colonised, commercialised and controlled by adults, often in the name of safety, progress or supposed necessity. Playwork has sought to advocate, protect and extend children's right to play as a bi...
Read MoreIn 2021, as part of a review of Chester’s ‘One City Plan’ (a high-level strategy guiding development in the city centre), we were commissioned by Cheshire West and Chester Council to gather evidence from children and their families about their views and experiences...
Read MoreFramed in the language of a population health approach, this post is about why we need to protect and improve children’s opportunities for play in the public realm and what local government and health organisations can do about it.
Read MoreWendy Russell talks about the latest research project into the Welsh Government’s Play Sufficiency Duty that she did with Mike Barclay and Ben Tawil from Ludicology and Charlotte Derry from Playful Places. This article is a slightly extended version of one that app...
Read MoreThe rural diversity of Wales has led to the Welsh Government recognising rural isolation as a protected characteristic. This blog provides a case study of the play experiences of a class of year six children (age 10-11) from a rurally isolated community. Despite th...
Read MoreA detailed investigation into the sufficiency of opportunities for children's play in three rural Welsh communities. Whilst this project sought to improve opportunities for both child and adult play and sociability, it took as its starting point the experiences of ...
Read MoreThis blog should be of interest to any concerned adult or community activist; however, it is specifically targeted at Town and Community Councillors keen to improve their communities for all residents, but particularly younger and older children. The blog discusses...
Read More" 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
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.