Parents in Hackney are being encouraged to come together to set up temporary ‘playing out’ sessions for children by a local children’s charity.
Hackney Play Association, in partnership with Hackney Council, is supporting residents who want to organise the sessions, which allow children to play and socialise in roads that are closed off to non-residents for a couple of hours.
As well as allowing children to play safely, the project also aims to spread the idea that the roads are not just for cars.
In previous ‘playing out’ sessions such as the one at Thomas Fairchild school in June this year, organisers found that parents and other residents living on the road benefited alongside children from meeting and socialising with their neighbours.
Hackney Playing Out Co-ordinator Claudia Draper said: “Street play is important in terms of making it easier for children to get a healthy dose of exercise and fun, whilst also socialising with other local kids, literally on their doorstep.
“This is particularly relevant in a place like Hackney where there are higher than average levels of childhood obesity,” she added.
Hackney residents who are interested in starting up playing out sessions should email Claudia Draper at hackney@playingout.net or call on 07947 095 069.
