On the 15th of May 2024, Why Sports successfully hosted the Active Kids, Healthy Futures: Unlocking the Power of Play in Urban Design webinar, a highly engaging and informative event dedicated to advancing the children's play agenda and emphasising the benefits of increased physical activity.
Attendees had the privilege of hearing from esteemed speakers who shared vital information, updates and insights into the importance of play and physical activity for children's development.
Ingrid Skeels: The Power of Free Play in Neighborhoods
Ingrid Skeels, Associate and Co-Founder of Playing Out, kicked off the webinar with an inspiring presentation on the benefits of children engaging in free play within their neighbourhoods. She highlighted the significance of play in fostering health, happiness and a sense of community among children. Skeels reminisced about the days when children freely played outside, exploring their surroundings and forming lasting friendships. She emphasised the need to recreate these opportunities in today's urban environments, advocating for safe, accessible spaces where children can play and thrive.
Eugene Minogue: Play England aligned with the Get Active: A strategy for the future of sport and physical activity.
Eugene Minogue, Executive Director of Play England, provided valuable insights into the planning and delivery of the Children, Young People and the Built Environment Inquiry. Minogue discussed how Play England is collaborating with the government to align with the Get Active strategy, a national initiative aimed at promoting physical activity. He underscored the importance of steering the agenda to support the sector, ensuring that children's play and physical activity are prioritised in urban planning and development. Minogue's commitment to working with policymakers and stakeholders to create a more active and healthy future for children was evident throughout his presentation.
Amanda Gummer and Michael Hoenigmann: Designing Inclusive Play Spaces.
Dr Amanda Gummer, Chair of the Association of Play Industries and Michael Hoenigmann, Managing Director of Jupiter Play and Leisure, delved into the crucial topic of designing play spaces. They discussed the importance of making playgrounds and recreational areas fun, inclusive and engaging for all children. Gummer and Hoenigmann discussed innovative approaches to creating play environments that not only enhance physical development but also allow children to participate in shaping these spaces. Their presentations highlighted how thoughtful design can foster creativity, social interaction and physical activity among children, contributing to their overall well-being.
Interactive Features and Audience Engagement
Throughout the webinar, attendees were encouraged to actively participate through the chat function, polling questions and interactive discussions. This engagement fostered a lively and collaborative atmosphere, allowing participants to share their thoughts, ideas and questions with the speakers. The interactive features ensured that the webinar was not only informative but also highly engaging, providing valuable takeaways for all participants.
The Active Kids, Healthy Futures: Unlocking the Power of Play in Urban Design webinar was a resounding success, bringing together experts, stakeholders and enthusiasts committed to enhancing children's play and physical activity opportunities. The insights shared by Ingrid Skeels, Eugene Minogue, Amanda Gummer and Michael Hoenigmann provided a comprehensive understanding of the current challenges and future possibilities in promoting active lifestyles for children.
As we move forward, the Why Sports community remains dedicated to breaking down silos and working collaboratively to improve the health and well-being of children across the country. Together, we can create environments that support active play, foster community and ensure a healthier future for all.
Stay tuned for more updates and initiatives from Why Sports as we continue to champion the cause of active, healthy futures for our children.
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