Adventure playgrounds, youth centres and community services have been shut down during the last five years of coalition government austerity. This situation looks likely to continue. That could mean less staff, less hours, or – most worryingly – the sudden closure of more valued community spaces.
Enough is enough. We will not stand by while politicians obliterate our future in the name of their broken ideology. We are not all in this together. That is why the London Play & Youth Work Campaign is being launched tomorrow – to defend our adventure playgrounds and youth centres from post-election cuts. Next time you come knocking, we’ll be ready – playworkers, youth workers, young people, parents, toddlers, grandparents: those who are truly all in it together.
We hope that the new government will recognise the profound value of play and youth work to society. If not, then be warned: cutting us will not be an easy ride. By building up a network of support between playgrounds and youth clubs, we’re ready to stand together for the funding and support we need for our youth to flourish.
Gabriel Bristow London Play & Youth Work Campaign
Joe Ryle London Play & Youth Work Campaign
Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe Unite national officer for community, youth and playworkers
Melian Mansfield Chair of London Play
Barry Walden Vice-chair of London Play
Laurence Guinness Director of campaigns and research, Kids Company
Akala
Jay Griffiths Writer
Michael Rosen Writer
George Monbiot
Chris Martin Playwork convenor; community, youth and playworkers section, Unite the Union
Pat Hunter Chair, Woodcraft Folk
Anne-Marie Martin Treasurer, Triangle Adventure Playground Association
Leo Murray Director, Monkey-Do CIC
Graham Jimpson Chair, SE1 United
Jacob Whittingham SE1 United
Jim Clancey Chair, Triangle Adventure Playground Association
Jonathan Choo Senior playworker, Triangle Adventure Playground Association
Robin Mckeown Manager, The Hayward Playground
Michael Whelan Senior play practitioner, The Hayward Playground
Ashar Smith Talent Match youth board team leader, London Youth
Kevin Richards Coordinator, Martin Luther King Adventure Playground
Mark Halden Senior Playworker, Glamis Adventure Playground
Kate Buckingham Playworker, Dog Kennel Hill Adventure Playground
Adi Hollander Playworker, The Hayward Playground
Tom Langdon Playworker, The Hayward Playground
Sylvie Leithgoe Community play project manager, Oasis Children’s Venture
Pauline Wilson Senior playworker, Shoreditch Adventure Playground
Lisa Parker Deputy senior playworker, Shoreditch Adventure Playground
Andy Leatham Deputy senior playworker, Shoreditch Adventure Playground
Michael Fontilio Playworker, Shoreditch Adventure Playground
Claira Scott-Gray Play manager, KIDS Adventure Play – Hackney
Julian Danquah Play coordinator, KIDS Adventure Play – Hackney
Jeff Wilsher Play coordinator, KIDS Adventure Play – Hackney
Tom Crossland Play coordinator, Lady Allen Playground – Wandsworth
Francesca Ratnatunga Inclusion Playworker, Oasis Children’s Venture
Debbie Antwi Playworker, Triangle Adventure Playground
Dannie Neck Playworker, Triangle Adventure Playground
Gabriel Green Playworker, Triangle Adventure Playground
Rudi-Ann Grant Playworker, Triangle Adventure Playground
Victoria Pennnant Playworker, Triangle Adventure Playground
Neville Haye Playworker, KIDS Adventure Play – Hackney
Eva Halota Playworker, KIDS Adventure Play – Hackney
Helen Yearwood Playworker, KIDS Adventure Play – Hackney
Dani Santori Playworker, KIDS Adventure Play – Hackney
Fernando Banuelos Playworker, KIDS Adventure Play – Hackney
Amy Smith Playworker, KIDS Adventure Play – Hackney
Lois Davis Battersea Park Adventure Playground campaigner
Colin Crilly Wandsworth Against Cuts
Robin Bishop Wandsworth Against Cuts
