Sheffield Play Partnership

Together we can do more

Our Story…

In October 2015 we launched Sheffield Play Association at Sheffield Winter Gardens. Sheffield Play Association was initiated by four community based organisations delivering play in their communities, Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, Manor After School Kids Club, Highfields Adventure Playground and Friends of Richmond Park following concerns that support for play and playwork in Sheffield was in decline and that many community playschemes and community led play facilities were no longer happening. In 2022 we revisited our purpose and renamed ourselves to Sheffield Play Partnership. The main reason for the re-name was to promote the much needed partnerships and sharing of the even more reduced resources. 

We think that now is the time to:

  • Promote the benefits of play and playwork for children, their families and the wider community
  • Unite playworkers, play organisations and individuals interested in promoting play and playwork
  • Support each other, share ideas and promote good practice
  • Support the development of new community based playschemes and play services
  • Deliver a shared training offer to help increase the capacity of the playwork workforce

Welcome to the Sheffield Play Partnership.

Sheffield Play Partnership events and activities are open to all playworkers, including any ex-playworkers wanting to keep in touch with the sector, play organisations and community organisations providing play and related activities for children aged 5-14 years.

During 2022 we finalised our new Discovering Play course that creates opportunities for people to learn more about Play & Playwork. Since then we have expanded this to include one off stand alone workshops in other Play related topics and working with MaTReC people also have access to other training too.

In 2024 we built on our training success and through a license from Common Threads we are now able to deliver PARS Playwork Practice courses face to face in Sheffield, intro and Level 2. These NCFE accredited courses allow learners to develop their practice. Funded by Sheffield City Council Community Youth Services. 

In 2025 we are rolling out more! You can look forward to more networking events, more training opportunities as well as one off CPD events. 

Our website now enables you to sign up and access our calendar to book your free places. 

Why Play?

Latest News

East and South East LAC Community Iftar

East and South East LAC Community Iftar

A heartwarming evening was enjoyed by all at the East and South East LAC Community Iftar in Darnall, where people from all backgrounds came together in the spirit of love, kindness, and unity. Events like these strengthen the bonds that make our communities thrive....

Celebrating Play in 2024

Celebrating Play in 2024

Sheffield Playwork Community Commended at Awards Night Sheffield playworkers came together in Manor Oaks Barn to celebrate Sheffield Playwork achievements and progress at the 2024  Sheffield Playwork Awards.  This dazzling occasion recognised the hard work and...

Learning and sharing best practice in Wales

Learning and sharing best practice in Wales

On a wet windy morning in October a multiagency and multidisciplinary delegation of people from Sheffield, boarded a minibus and made their way across the Pennines to visit Wrexham in Wales. The minibus was made up of representatives from Adventure Playgrounds, Family...

Sheffield Play Day

Sheffield Play Day

A Day of Play Connecting Communities Through Play Wednesday 30th October 2024 Our city’s annual day to celebrate play in Sheffield, is being held on the Wednesday of Autumnal half term in October. On a day of play, thousands of children, young people and families and...

Discovering Play New Term

Discovering Play New Term

We are so excited to release the dates and sign up for the next blocks of Discovering Play. Discovering Play, presented at a Level One level, introduces the importance of play and Playwork along with some practical elements. Discovering Play aims to develop...

Wrap Around Gets Funding

Wrap Around Gets Funding

A message from Childcare Planning team at Sheffield City Council Dear Colleague, Wraparound Programme Funding, Completed Expression of Interest Form required by 16 May 2024. The Government recognised in the Childcare Reforms 2023 the importance of wraparound childcare...

Adolescence and Play

Adolescence and Play

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing” (George Bernard Shaw). Play is frequently valued as being beneficial for young children with less recognition for the continuing and evolving benefits for young people. Play is often...

Celebrating Those Who Make Play Happen

Celebrating Those Who Make Play Happen

On a lovely Saturday evening in December 2023 the Sheffield Play Partnership, facilitated by MASKK and Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, hosted a night to celebrate those who make play happen. Those who volunteer their time at groups and sessions, those who campaign and...

Playwork Principles

These Principles establish the professional and ethical framework for playwork and as such must be regarded as a whole.

They describe what is unique about play and playwork, and provide the playwork perspective for working with children and young people.

They are based on the recognition that children and young people’s capacity for positive development will be enhanced if given access to the broadest range of environments and play opportunities.

Principle 1
All children and young people need to play. The impulse to play is innate. Play is a biological, psychological and social necessity, and is fundamental to the healthy development and well being of individuals and communities.
Principle 2
Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. That is, children and young people determine and control the content and intent of their play, by following their own instincts, ideas and interests, in their own way for their own reasons.
Principle 3
The prime focus and essence of playwork is to support and facilitate the play process and this should inform the development of play policy, strategy, training and education.
Principle 4
For playworkers, the play process takes precedence and playworkers act as advocates for play when engaging with adult led agendas.
Principle 5
The role of the playworker is to support all children and young people in the creation of a space in which they can play.
Principle 6
The playworker’s response to children and young people playing is based on a sound up to date knowledge of the play process, and reflective practice.
Principle 7
Playworkers recognise their own impact on the play space and also the impact of children and young people’s play on the playworker.
Principle 8
Playworkers choose an intervention style that enables children and young people to extend their play. All playworker intervention must balance risk with the developmental benefit and well being of children.

Our Working Group

Those who give their time to volunteer as creators and facilitators of the overall partnership. Meeting at least once per term.

If you would like to volunteer to join the team please email partnership@sheffieldplay.org.uk

Our Current Working Team are:

Craig Judson (MASKK & Lowedges Community Centre & PARS Licenced Trainer)

Emma Okpalaeke (MASKK & 186th Sheffield)

Julia Sexton (Pitsmoor Adventure Playground)

Nicky Jewitt (MaTReC)

Yanina Koszalinski (Pitmoor Adventure Playground & Scrap Dragon)

Our Partners:

Highfield Adventure Playground Logo

Sharrow Community Forum and Highfields Adventure Playground

 Sharrow Community Community Forum provide a range of services and manage the Highfield Adventure Playground. A playground that has recently benefited significantly from the Youth Investment Fund.

MASKK Thumb

MASKK

MASKK offers a range of services including after school childcare, holiday childcare, services for children with disabilities, play opportunities, and training and development for volunteers and staff. MASKK is open 6 days a week term time and 5 days a week in school holidays.
Pitsmoor Adventure Playground Logo

Pitsmoor Adventure Playground

At Pitsmoor Adventure Playground children are able to play in lots of different ways, supported by our experienced playwork team, who make sure every child feels welcome and included.

Friends of Richmond Park Logo

Manor Training & Resource Centre

 Created to provide training and development opportunites from entry level to higher level qualifications. Specialists in supporting those with Dyslexia too.

Friends of Richmond Park Logo

Lowedges Community Centre

A community centre hosting a variety of activities including Family Hub, Youth Service, volunteer Youth Club, adult craft groups and Healthy Holiday Activities.