Autumn | Winter 2025
This issue of our magazine looks forward to the next government in Wales (following the May 2026 Senedd election) as well as celebrating the good work happening at local, regional and national level.
The message from children about why play is so important to them is loud, clear and concise. They want time, space and the acceptance of adults to experience everyday moments of playing. So, this issue features a play manifesto from the children of Wales with their calls to make sure every child across the country has enough time and good places to play.
The issue includes examples of work happening across Wales on the four themes within our manifesto:
- Strategic leadership: a summary of how various government policy areas and programmes aim to support play, which demonstrate the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting children’s play
- Playful neighbourhoods: two inspiring examples – from Merthyr Tydfil and Newport – of projects supporting community-based play provision
- Playful schools: an overview of the Vale of Glamorgan Play Team’s Play & Wellbeing project at a high school in Barry, followed by ideas of things to consider to support school playtime behaviour
- Play in times of uncertainty: examples of projects taking place in temporary accommodation and healthchare settings to support children’s opportunities to play in these places.
This issue also includes a spotlight on… interview, all you need to know about our new Chwarae o Safonplaywork quality mark, and the latest on the UK review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for playwork.
