Street play initiatives in disadvantaged areas: experiences and emerging issues

This report explores how local, resident-led street play initiatives and programmes are being taken forward in disadvantaged areas of England, in response to concerns about the decline in children’s opportunities for outdoor play. It is based on interviews with 21 people involved in such schemes in five local authority areas. Its aim is to clarify areas of debate, share experiences and set out emerging issues on a topic where experience is evolving rapidly. Interviewees confirmed the picture from other work: street play initiatives are being successfully started and sustained in disadvantaged areas. However, there are significant challenges. These are likely to be greatest in the most disadvantaged areas and those that do not have typical street layouts.
Overall, a range of factors emerged that influence the likelihood of success of street play initiatives in disadvantaged areas. Examples of such factors availability of practical local support and areas with higher housing densities.