The Play Well Podcast

In this episode, we will discuss play in Cultural Heritage Settings.

To explore this we will hear from Russell Clegg. Russell is a project worker at the Living Memory Association. He previously worked as a primary school teacher and has a wealth of experience in engagement in heritage sites.



Find out more here: https://www.livingmemory.org.uk/

In this episode, we will discuss play in the Health and Social Care Standards, UNCRC incorporation, and the Promise.

To explore this we will hear from Henry Mathias. Henry is the Strategic Lead - Standards for Health and Social Care at the Care Inspectorate. Henry played a key role in ensuring a child’s right to play has statutory backing in Scotland through the development of the Health and Social Care Standards.

Find out more about the Health and Social Care Standards here: https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/new-standards-and-inspections

In this episode, we will discuss play and poetry.

To explore this, our Learning & Development Officer, Jenny Lester, catches up with Joseph Coelho. Joseph is a British poet and children's book author who was elected Children's Laureate in 2022. He has dedicated his career to making poetry accessible to all, with a focus on children and young people.

To find out more about his work and his upcoming projects, check out his website https://www.thepoetryofjosephcoelho.com/

In this episode, we will discuss play for D/deaf children.

To explore this, our Learning & Development Officer, Jenny Lester, catches up with Faith Robyn from the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Faith is the Bright Start Development Manager at the National Deaf Children’s Society, working to support deaf children, their families and their practitioners in the early years. As a deaf adult, Faith has also worked in the Early Years sector for 18 years, managing Ofsted Outstanding settings and coordinating and delivering Local Authority training for early years providers.

Find out more about support D/deaf children please see the links below.
Together We Can- series of 4 live webinars on a range of different early years, deaf-specific topics https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/services-for-professionals/online-information-sessions-for-professionals/a-bright-start-for-every-deaf-child/#Deaf

Online Early Years Networking Groups where you can:
- receive training, expert advice, practical tips and resources
- meet and exchange ideas with practitioners working in similar roles
- develop your practice to plan and provide for deaf children who attend your setting, or may do so in future.
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/services-for-professionals/early-years-networking-groups/

If you have any feedback or suggestions for future episodes please email [email protected]

In this episode, we will discuss playful transitions from nursery to primary one.

To explore this, our Learning & Development Officer, Jenny Lester, catches up with Fiona Thomson from Twinkl.

Fiona is the Early Learning and Childcare Segment Manager for Twinkl Scotland. She previously worked in a private nursery for 3 years and a local authority setting for 5 years, gaining both an SVQ 3 and degree in Childhood Practice whilst working full time.

Find out more about play and learning here: https://www.playscotland.org/play/playful-learning/

If you have any feedback or suggestions for future episodes please email [email protected]

In this episode, we will discuss risky play.

To explore this, our Cheif Executive Marguerite Hunter Blair catches up with Tim Gill.

Tim Gill is an independent scholar, writer and consultant on childhood, and a global advocate for children’s play and mobility. Tim is a global leader of the movement for a balanced, thoughtful approach to risk in childhood. He is one of the architects of risk benefit assessment and the Chair of the UK Play Safety Forum.

Find more information about risky play here: https://www.playscotland.org/play/playful-learning/managing-risk-play-provision/

We hope you enjoy this episode!

If you have any feedback or suggestions for future episodes please email [email protected]

In this episode, we will look at autism and play.

To explore this our Learning & Development Officer Jenny Lester catches up with Dr Robert Grant.

Dr.Grant is a licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. He is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy which is an integrative family play therapy approach. He is also currently serving as the chair on the board of directors for the Association for Play Therapy.

In this episode, we will look at youth work and play.

To explore this our Director Marguerite Hunter Blair speaks to Kevin Kane, Policy and Research Manager at Youth Link Scotland.

Kevin leads the development of youth work policy impacting on young people’s lives, investigating and responding to current and emerging policy and legislative issues affecting young people and the youth work sector. He is leading on co-developing and producing the new National Youth Work Strategy (20-25) and implementation plan, alongside strategic partners, The Scottish Government and Education Scotland.

In this episode, we will look at partnership working to plan for play at local authority level.

To explore this our Head of Projects, Cherie Morgan, caught up with Audrey White from Dundee City council.

Audrey is the Education Support Officer for the Children and Families Service, Dundee City Council. She has a degree in physical education and she is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people, particularly relating how play, physical activity and enjoying the outdoors; supporting children and young people to make healthy choices relating to food and drink.

You can find out more about how to plan for play at local authority level here: https://www.playscotland.org/play/playful-communities/

In this episode, we will look at how to engage children and young people in planning. This is the perfect place to start if you are looking to engage with children and young people on the NPF4 (Draft), or on an Open Place Plan or Play Sufficiency Assessment.

To explore this, our Learning and Development Officer Jenny Lester catches up with Dr. Jenny Wood from a Place in Childhood. Jenny is a trained town planner who completed a PhD on children’s human rights and the Scottish town planning system. She now works to enable young citizens to participate meaningfully in improving the environments and services which affect them.