Child Friendly Cardiff was honoured to participate in the Play Wales National Conference on 21 November 2024, celebrating the launch of Playing and being well, a groundbreaking literature review on children’s play, social policy, and practice, with a focus on Wales. This innovative publication explores the links between play sufficiency and children’s wellbeing, drawing on academic research across disciplines as well as practitioner and advocacy insights. By investigating the role of play in wellbeing, children’s play patterns, and the importance of adult support, the review is set to influence how play is planned and supported across the country.
The conference was a unique opportunity to share insights, network with other local authorities, and champion a child rights approach to play. As part of the event, Child Friendly Cardiff delivered a workshop titled Embedding the Right to Play: A Child Rights Approach to Local Development Planning in Cardiff. The workshop highlighted Cardiff’s journey in embedding play into its Local Development Plan (LDP) and ensuring children’s rights are central to urban planning. Key objectives included demonstrating the significance of rights-based approaches, sharing Cardiff’s experience in securing play opportunities through policy, and engaging attendees in practical exercises to integrate play into local projects.
Cardiff’s Innovations in Play Policy
Our workshop spotlighted case studies demonstrating how Cardiff has used innovative methods to prioritise children’s play. One example was Shaping Mackenzie Park with Minecraft, where children used the popular game to co-design park spaces, gamifying participation and consultation processes. Another highlighted initiative was Cardiff’s Planning Pioneers, which utilised digital tools like Maptionnaire to gather data on children’s play patterns, active travel, and safety, ensuring play spaces meet their needs.
Additionally, we shared insights from our research with Cardiff University into how girls use parks and public spaces. This partnership aimed to address barriers to inclusion and design spaces that encourage participation. These projects reflect our commitment to a whole-systems approach, ensuring the integration of play into urban design, policy frameworks, and community planning.
Moving Forward Together
As a UNICEF Child Friendly City, Cardiff is committed to making children’s rights, including the right to play, a reality. Our participation in the Play Wales National Conference reinforced the importance of collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based approaches to play. The event provided an invaluable platform to share our successes and learn from others, ensuring that all children across Wales have opportunities to play and thrive.