Playing Together: youth work and play work

Date: 21st July 2015
Category: Education, Leisure and Cultural Activities, Recreation, play and cultural activities
Author: Youthlink Scotland

The YouthLink Scotland Policy Forum has been working to explore the commonalities in national policy for youth work and play. They have prepared a briefing paper and are requesting YouthLink Scotland members to share their experiences.

Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) sets out the "right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts." This right goes beyond play: it gives space and recognition to the child and young person's free choice to participate in recreation, culture and the arts - which can include youth work. The youth work sector has an opportunity to contribute to, to share, and to lead opportunities for age appropriate play.

The Policy Forum have prepared a briefing paper on this matter and are requesting YouthLink Scotland members to share their experience and to express interest in exploring this area further.

• Access the briefing paper here.

Whilst YouthLink Scotland are not formally surveying the view of its members on this matter, they are seeking to hear from members with regard to the following questions:

- Is there any existing practice (locally, nationally, internationally) which would exemplify joint working between youth work and play sectors?

- Are you part of a community/organisation where there is a desire to work more effectively and efficiently together across youth work and play sectors with the support of YouthLink Scotland?

- Are you part of a community/organisation where there is an appetite to develop a joint local policy or strategy across youth work and play sectors?

Contact: Susan Hunter, Tel: 0131 313 2488 Email: shunter@youthlinkscotland.org