Events

National and regional events for the Midlands Tri-Region
(West Midlands, East Midlands, South West)

Are you holding an event which would be of interest to others in the play sector? Email Jayne Olden at jayne.olden@skillsactive.com

For SkillsActive events across the active learning and leisure sector, go to the SkillsActive main events page here.

10-13 March 2010

Urban Play: IPA USA 25th Anniversary Conference and TASP 36th Annual Conference (Atlanta, Georgia)

Further details here.

13 March 2010

Spirit of Play!

The SkillsActive Playwork south east regional playwork conference, Spirit of Play 2010, will take place on Saturday 13 March in Chertsey, Surrey. Sponsored by Play England - South East and Surrey County Council, this year we are welcoming as keynote speaker Liz Elsom, Divisional Manager for Policy and Framework at Ofsted, to talk about the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Workshops include topics such as play in prisons, healthy eating, street dance and play therapy.  For more details, see website or contact kiran.sahota@skillsactive.com.

19 March 2010

Creating child friendly communities

Play England is pleased to support Nottingham Play in the delivery of this regional conference.  The aim is for delegates to gain a better understanding of children and young people's play and informal recreation and how they can work together to support more child friendly communities.  For further information email info@playworks.org.uk.

23 March 2010

Play England national conference (Central London)

After 4 years of unprecedented national investment in children's play, this major conference will consider its impact, explore how to sustain the momentum for change and ask 'what next for play provision, playwork and playable public space?'.  Tel. 020 7843 6300 or email playengland@ncb.org.uk to register your interest and be the first to receive offers and information.  Book here.

24 March 2010

TAC: the Small Collaborative Team in Early Childhood Intervention - making the best use of practitioners and parents' time (Bristol)

Further details contact Peter Limbrick p.limbrick@virgin.net, tel. 01497 831550, or visit website.

25 March 2010

Space for Play (Bath Racecourse)

A Play Conference for all those working to promote children and young people's access to play. Find out more about the wide range of innovative ways in which Bath & North East Somerset have developed opportunities for children and young people to play freely. Guest speakers Dave Taylor - Play England and Professor Lamine Mahdjoubi - UWE, plus a variety of workshops. £25 per person (for those living and working in B&NES), £50 for those outside of the Local Authority.  For further details email Donna.Biddlecombe@bathnes.gov.uk, tel. 01225 394426.

20 April 2010

Parks for Youth: A conference focusing on successfully engaging young people in parks and green spaces (Bristol)

Organised by GreenSpace, the conference will feature presentations, workshops and site visits.  Topics will include how to successfully consult with young people, methods of establishing strong and effective partnerships with other organisations that provide youth services and how to enable young people to feel proud and take ownership of their local environment.  Visit website for further details.

5 May 2010

Playday 2010 Regional Organiser Seminar (Taunton)

Wednesday 4 August 2010 is Playday - the annual celebration of children's right to play.  Whether you're planning your first Playday event and need a little guidance, or you're a Playday pro looking for new ideas and inspiration, this seminar will get you on track!  To register your interest, please email lmarshall@ncb.org.uk.

13-24 May 2010

20th International Play Therapy World Congress

The theme of the conference is 'Making a Difference - innovations in the use of creative arts and play therapies.  Speakers from all over the world and a number of workshops.  Further info here.

26 May 2010

Skills Sharing Day (Wolverhampton)

Old Fallings Adventure Playground, Wolverhampton.  Free event for West Midlands playworkers.  Joint event run by Play England, SkillsActive, Wolverhampton City Council and KIDS.  A hands on, interactive event for playworkers, with practical workshops on den building and fire play and sessions on inclusion and active play.  To download booking form visit website.  Further details contact Play England at play-wm@ncb.org.uk or tel. 0121 245 0159.

17-19 June 2010

Children's Play: New Goals for the Future (Lisbon)

The International Council for Children's Play (ICCP) has announced details and a first call for papers for the 25th ICCP World Play Conference. The venue will be the Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal on the 17, 18 and 19 June 2010.  More here.

25-26 June 2010

British Association of Play Therapists Annual Conference (Birmingham)

Integrating approaches to trauma in play therapy with children.  Visit website for further details.

4 August 2010

Playday!

The theme for 2010 is 'Our Place'. The annual celebration of children's right to play has been set for Wednesday 4 August 2010.  Over 800 events took place across the UK to mark Playday in 2009, which means it was the biggest on record! Visit Playday website for regular updates.