The Play Well Podcast

In this episode, we will look at playtime at school.To explore this we will hear from Michael Follet. Michael is the founder and director of OPAL - Outdoor Play and Learning. A school improvement initiative which works across the UK and beyond. He has a wealth of experience as a playworker, teacher and school improvement officer. He is the author of ‘Creating Excellence in Primary School Playtimes’. To find out more about the OPAL programme in Scotland please visit our website https://www.playscotland.org/projects/opal/

In this episode, we will look at play in hospitals. To explore this we will hear from Teri Wright and Margaret McEwan. Teri is a Health Play Specialist at Glasgow Children's Hospital. She was recently nominated for the Children’s Health Scotland Awards for her work. Margaret has been the Play Services Co-ordinator at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People since 2017. For her work supporting children through treatments she won the the NHs Lothian Health Hero. To find out more about play in hospitals you can visit:https://www.whatwhychildreninhospital.org.uk/ https://rhc.nhsggc.org.uk/home/coming-into-rhc-glasgow/directory-of-services/play-in-hospital/https://www.glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org/support-us/appeals/46-support-our-play-servicehttps://children.nhslothian.scot/parents-and-carers/play-service/https://children.nhslothian.scot/children/play/

In this episode, we will be looking at children playing out in the local area.To explore this we will be speaking to Ingrid Skeels and Cherie Morgan. Ingrid is the Co-Director of Playing Out. Playing Out is a national organisation and movement for long-term change, supporting children’s right to play outside on their streets and in their local area. She is passionate about the importance of freedom and creativity in play for children. Cherie Morgan is the head of Projects at Play Scotland. Her role is to work with partners to develop and lead projects that will improve children’s opportunities for play in their local community, with a focus on co-creation and action research. She led on the creation of the Playful Streets Resource, which supports communities to improve play opportunities their spaces in a number of ways.Find out more about Playful Streets here: https://www.playscotland.org/get-involved/communities/Find out more about Playing Out here: https://playingout.net/

In this episode, we will be discussing how practitioners can support parents to discover the power of play and encourage play at home. To discuss this we will hear from Evie Keough. Evie is the founder and CEO of Boromi – a play libraries charity. Evie has taught in primary schools from rural Dumfriesshire to central London, where she developed the idea for borrow boxes of toys for home play. She then won the 2017 Teach First Innovation Award and has been growing Boromi ever since. She is passionate about improving opportunities in the early years to improve future life outcomes. Find out more about Boromi here: https://www.boromi.co.uk/

In this episode, we will discuss play in Cultural Heritage Settings.To explore this we will hear from Russell Clegg. Russell is a project worker at the Living Memory Association. He previously worked as a primary school teacher and has a wealth of experience in engagement in heritage sites. Find out more here: https://www.livingmemory.org.uk/

In this episode, we will discuss play in the Health and Social Care Standards, UNCRC incorporation, and the Promise. To explore this we will hear from Henry Mathias. Henry is the Strategic Lead - Standards for Health and Social Care at the Care Inspectorate. Henry played a key role in ensuring a child’s right to play has statutory backing in Scotland through the development of the Health and Social Care Standards. Find out more about the Health and Social Care Standards here: https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/new-standards-and-inspections

In this episode, we will discuss play and poetry.To explore this, our Learning & Development Officer, Jenny Lester, catches up with Joseph Coelho. Joseph is a British poet and children's book author who was elected Children's Laureate in 2022. He has dedicated his career to making poetry accessible to all, with a focus on children and young people.To find out more about his work and his upcoming projects, check out his website https://www.thepoetryofjosephcoelho.com/

In this episode, we will discuss play for D/deaf children.To explore this, our Learning & Development Officer, Jenny Lester, catches up with Faith Robyn from the National Deaf Children’s Society.Faith is the Bright Start Development Manager at the National Deaf Children’s Society, working to support deaf children, their families and their practitioners in the early years. As a deaf adult, Faith has also worked in the Early Years sector for 18 years, managing Ofsted Outstanding settings and coordinating and delivering Local Authority training for early years providers. Find out more about support D/deaf children please see the links below.Together We Can- series of 4 live webinars on a range of different early years, deaf-specific topics https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/services-for-professionals/online-information-sessions-for-professionals/a-bright-start-for-every-deaf-child/#Deaf Online Early Years Networking Groups where you can:- receive training, expert advice, practical tips and resources- meet and exchange ideas with practitioners working in similar roles- develop your practice to plan and provide for deaf children who attend your setting, or may do so in future.https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/services-for-professionals/early-years-networking-groups/If you have any feedback or suggestions for future episodes please email jennylester@playscotland.org

In this episode, we will discuss playful transitions from nursery to primary one.To explore this, our Learning & Development Officer, Jenny Lester, catches up with Fiona Thomson from Twinkl. Fiona is the Early Learning and Childcare Segment Manager for Twinkl Scotland. She previously worked in a private nursery for 3 years and a local authority setting for 5 years, gaining both an SVQ 3 and degree in Childhood Practice whilst working full time.Find out more about play and learning here: https://www.playscotland.org/play/playful-learning/If you have any feedback or suggestions for future episodes please email jennylester@playscotland.org

In this episode, we will discuss risky play.To explore this, our Cheif Executive Marguerite Hunter Blair catches up with Tim Gill.Tim Gill is an independent scholar, writer and consultant on childhood, and a global advocate for children’s play and mobility. Tim is a global leader of the movement for a balanced, thoughtful approach to risk in childhood. He is one of the architects of risk benefit assessment and the Chair of the UK Play Safety Forum.Find more information about risky play here: https://www.playscotland.org/play/playful-learning/managing-risk-play-provision/We hope you enjoy this episode!If you have any feedback or suggestions for future episodes please email jennylester@playscotland.org