Supported by funding from Speak UP, MASKK recently led a play‑based consultation with children and young people, focusing on the needs and preferences of children and young people with SEND in health settings. Using playful, child‑friendly methods ensured participation felt safe, familiar, and fun—so children could express what matters to them in ways that work for them.
Read MASKK’s report here
Why this matters:
- Voice and belonging. When children are asked—and listened to—about issues shaping their daily lives, they feel seen and valued in the public realm.
- Inclusion by design. Play‑based approaches lower barriers to participation, helping us hear from children who might otherwise be excluded.
- Better choices, better services. Insights gathered through play lead to practical changes that make spaces and services more welcoming, accessible, and effective.
What happens next:
- We’ll share learning across the Play Partnership to inform projects city‑wide.
- Partners can use insights to co‑design child‑friendly health environments (e.g., sensory‑aware waiting areas, flexible communication tools, and clear wayfinding).
- We’ll advocate for playful, inclusive practice in places where children spend time—so their ideas shape not only what services look like, but how they feel.
Our commitment is simple: children’s voices should shape the places where they live, learn, and receive care. By working together with partners like MASKK—and by choosing methods that recognise play as a universal language—we can build a Sheffield where every child’s perspective counts.
If you’d like to learn more, collaborate, or bring play‑based consultation to your service, get in touch with the Sheffield Play Partnership team. Together, we can make sure children’s voices lead the way.