The event was was hosted by Sheffield Play Partnership Steering Group and compared by consultant Patrick Meleady.

Patrick welcomed everyone present and shared with attendees an overview of the evening agenda and put a spotlight on the breadth and diversity of the play sector and its importance. He identified a range of developments that have been happening in the city over the last year.

Patrick set the scene by highlighted the contributions made by the partnership to strategic plans and said, “Here in Sheffield we are fortunate to have a vibrant and pioneering play sector that is actively fostering Play England’s re-Imagineering of a new 10 year strategy exploring opportunities to further develop spaces and places for play and recreation whilst supporting workforce development to improve qualifications, registration and regulation. We are also focusing on provision to ensure that we have a high quality, inclusive play service and our playwork professionals and volunteers have contributed significantly to help shape the Sheffield City Goals, Sheffield City Council Youth Strategy, Sheffield City Council Cultural Strategy and the Sheffield City Council Plan. 

Patrick thanked all partners in the Sheffield Play Partnership and Steering Group for their vision and commitment to play and the partnership itself as a strategic lynchpin in bringing together play and playworkers and for helping with visioning too Sheffield being a city of play for all ages.

Following this, Cllr Dawn Dale Cabinet Lead for Sheffield City Council’s Children’s Services. was introduced by Patrick and she spoke about her work in community development and her recognition of the value and need for play.

She highlighted that unfortunately Cllr Laura Moynihan was unable to be present this evening and drew attention to a full council motion that had been agreed by full council entitled: “ Supporting Children’s Play and Playwork through a joined up strategy for play for all ages which had been given by Cllr Laura Moynihan and seconded by herself Cllr Dawn Dale.

Attached below is the motion that Cllr Dale talked through for ease of access and for reflective reference.

Cllr Dale reinforced how the City’s Belonging Strategy and related strategies would be inclusive of the above and hers and colleagues commitment to champion play for all ages.

Patrick thanked Sheffield City and its key components, MASKK, Pitsmoor Adventure Playground and Sharrow forum, for their sterling and enduring commitment to play and its sustainability and onward development in the city and highlighted how integral the Council have been and the immensely important role that Cllr  Belbin, Cllr Dale and Cllr Moynahan have played in ensuring that this was a reality and the motion came to light and was agreed .

Yanina Koszalinski was called up by Craig and Emma to also say a few words as a key course co- developer and tutor on the play training as well as due to her valuable years of contribution to play in the play field. 

Yanina reflected upon the road to where we are with play today and shared with the attendees a recently released book authored by Ali Wood, Julia Sexton and Jacky  Kilvington entitled: Playwork in Practice.

Applying the Playwork Lens Across the Children’s Workforce. Identifying the authors long contributions to Playwork in the city and how valuable this book is to adding knowledge around how children play.

Following this Patrick Meleady brought the evening to its end, thanking all for attending and Craig, Emma and all who helped on its organisation and implementation and he reiterated on behalf of the Sheffield Play Partnership Steering Group congratulations to everyone present and those who could attend for attaining their play qualifications . He also gave thanked again all playworkers and all those supporting play for all that they do and continue to do for play in Sheffield.