Hackney Play Association “chuffed” by national award

The Hackney Play Association has won a national award for its inspirational playwork training.

The charity picked up the Training Provider of the Year Award at the National Playwork Conference 2015, recognising it as a training provider, which “motivates, enthuses and inspires learners so that they become ‘better’ playworkers.”

It provides training for people supporting children’s play, including playworkers, children’s centre staff, youth workers, play service managers, mealtime supervisors, play development workers, young people and carers, and also runs several popular play services including Homerton Grove Adventure Playground, Clapton Park Play and Youth Project, and inclusive play sessions.

They also support residents wanting to open up their streets for play through the groundbreaking Hackney Play Streets project.

Bridget Handscomb, play development and training manager, who accepted the award on behalf of the team at the conference, said: “Our starting point is to put children and the importance of play at the centre of all our courses – whilst making sessions as fluid and interactive as possible.

“We always emphasise there is no blueprint for playwork - as trainers we’re reflecting and learning from our students as much as they learn from us.

“We’re all incredibly chuffed here at Hackney Play Association that our approach has been recognised and applauded.”