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Hackney Play Association is a play development charity working to improve children and young people's quality of life, through play. We do this by:

Providing information, support and advice to parents, teachers, playworkers, play space designers and communities
Offering training, qualifications and consultancy
Supporting volunteering at local play projects
Promoting good quality play and play provision
Representing the Play Sector on many partnerships
Providing inclusive play opportunities

Tackling Poverty and Disadvantage

By many measures, Hackney is one of the most deprived borough in the UK. 49% of Hackney's children are growing up on or below the poverty line. Many children in Hackney face multiple barriers including poor quality living environments, overcrowded housing, high rates of crime and unemployment. Almost 20% of Hackney’s young people are obese and a further 15% overweight

Better play opportunities are vital to combat poverty and disadvantage. Benefits of play include:

Physical and mental health and development, addressing health inequalities
Development of social skills
Problem solving, risk assessment and resilience
Raising aspirations through new experiences and opportunities
Community cohesion

High quality play provision is also important for parents and communities.

Parents and carers are frequently big supporters of staffed play provision... They bring parents into contact with other parents and facilitate the creation of informal social bonds and support networks – crucial lifelines in deprived neighbourhoods and for parents in need.

Support is often expressed through volunteering, which in turn can be beneficial to parents, who learn valuable skills.
People make Play, Demos/Play England, 2010

Hackney Play Association is registered charity number 272651. Read more about the Play Association below:

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Hackney Play Association, Shakespeare Walk Adventure Playground, Shakespeare Walk, London, N16 8TB, 020 7729 4664.