Play Place run 40 weekly youth sessions across Croydon, Dartford and Sevenoaks
Historically, many universal youth services were based in church or community buildings. Changing safeguarding legislations, training requirements and policies has meant that informal voluntary projects are less able to deliver youth activities. Church and community group managers recognise that this can leave local venues and a large number of willing volunteers under-utilised or without structured capacity and skills support.
We deliver both directly delivered and community asset based activities. Our activities utilise available local assets including volunteers, underused buildings, community support groups, residents groups and additional funds (where available) to maximise opportunities and ensure that projects are localised. Using Play Place’s professional capacity, policies, DBS checking, training, finance management and support mechanisms; the aim is to support church and community groups to deliver a range of universal and specialist youth services. Regular weekly universal clubs will work with young people providing weekly youth activities.
Our clubs and activities are for young people aged between 8 and 11 (Juniors) or 12+ (Seniors), under 8's attend some events with an adult! Each club or activity offers a combination of ‘Core’ and ‘Focus’ activities. Core activities include activities that are always available from our key themes of:
- Sport/Social
- ICT/Consultation
- Creativity/Art
- Knowledge/discussion
Play Place is a registered centre for AQA accredited outcomes and the National Arts Award Scheme. Each site delivers accredited outcomes using informal and attractive group activities at a pace suitable to the young people.
People volunteer for a range of reasons including finding new interests, impacting on their own community or improving their employability options. In all cases, we want to offer our volunteers the opportunity to benefit from the role, therefore AQA accredited outcomes are built into the training programme. Offering an accredited outcome and up skilling them provides personal benefits that has real currency in terms of their own employability. Volunteers have monthly training sessions, which include a range of activities that develop a good working knowledge of the Youth Work Principles. Trainee volunteers are able to access an 'Accreditation In Youth Skills'. To practice and evidence the learning gained on the course, volunteers deliver support to the Our Space Youth Activities.
At Play Place we believe that Everyone Counts!