Playworker learns to play in Denmark

Uzma Ahmad, SkillsActive - 23/06/09

Naomi who has more than 12 years experience in playwork – beat out 57 applicants from around the country to receive one of six SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens bursaries, awarded annually to paid and un-paid individuals working within the sport, fitness, playwork, outdoors and caravan sectors. The bursaries are designed to help individuals improve their skills through an innovative training programme outside the scope of regular training. 

During her time studying Play and Playwork at Northumbria University, Naomi was interested in the Denmark model of children in the outdoor environment. Now working as a leader and manager for a chain of play provision, she would like to be given the opportunity to visit Denmark to understand the model in depth, with a view to integrate it within the centres she currently works in.

In line with the bursary guidelines, Naomi has created her own training experience in Denmark to meet her learning and development needs. During her one week tenure she plans to visit and meet with a range of forest schools and adventure playgrounds. Naomi then plans to present what she has learnt to the centres and schools that she currently works with to put forward developmental outcomes. In adopting the Denmark model, Naomi believes that children will be introduced to a new way of playing which could also be adopted to older children.

Naomi said: “I’m really pleased to be given the opportunity to go to Denmark and learn more about how children play. I have wanted to do this for a long time and have never had the chance, because we are a small business dependent on fees to help us run. I look forward to my trip in August.”

SkillsActive – the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning – and the Nancy Ovens Trust developed the SkillsActive and Nancy Ovens bursary in 2006 to enable individuals to take advantage of the wealth of potential learning opportunities within the active leisure and learning sector – both in the UK and abroad.

SkillsActive group chief executive Stephen Studd says: “SkillsActive is committed to improving the skills of individuals working in our sector, so is delighted to be able to offer a personal development bursary in partnership with the Nancy Ovens Trust.

“We hope that with our support, Naomi will be able to go out to Denmark and bring back new and improved skills which she can implement and use within her current role or future roles in the sector.”