Playing Out

LATEST NEWS: Playing Out has had to be suspended again due to the latest lockdown restrictions. We may be able to hold a session on Dec 16, but otherwise it will be the new year before we start up again.

Playing Out is a national initiative (see www.playingout.net) supported by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Its key vision is that children everywhere should be able to play out safely in the streets and open spaces in their own neighbourhoods. The aim is to give them space – both physical and psychological – to develop their own play and to meet up with children that they might not otherwise know.

Playing Out in Charlton happens every fortnight in British Summer Time, and then once a month when the clocks go back (weather permitting) on Sundorne Road between Swallowfield Road and Priolo Road. It requires at least four stewards every session, who are responsible for making sure that residents of Sundorne Road can drive in and out safely during sessions. Parents remain responsible for their own children. We are always looking for new stewards – and new families who would like to join in. Email playingoutSE7@gmail.com to receive emails detailing the next sessions.

PLAYING OUT RE-STARTS, AUGUST 2020

After discussions with the Council, we are very pleased to let you know that CCRA will be restarting Playing Out sessions on Sundorne Road this summer. Parents and children are invited to join us on Sundorne Road on 12 August between 3.30 and 5.30, and fortnightly after that. We would also like to invite parents with older children to volunteer to help steward at the sessions.

For healthy children and their families, the risks associated with outdoor play are very low and are far outweighed by the benefits. During the session, we will be following a set of hygiene protocols based on advice from the Playing Out organisation, London Play and the government to keep children, parents and stewards as safe as possible. These will cover hand hygiene, distancing and use of shared equipment. Hygiene guidelines here: CCRA Playing Out H&S notice Aug 2020 or just speak to one of the stewards on the day. In particular, we ask those attending to bring their own toys and refreshments and to wash hands before coming.

Children and adults are asked not to attend if they or any member of their household have any symptoms of Covid-19 (temperature, cough, loss of sense of taste/smell, fatigue, unexplained rash), if they are in self-isolation, or if they have recently been close to someone with the virus.

Forthcoming sessions (Wednesdays 3.30-5.30):

Aug 26

Sep 9, 23

Oct 7, 21

Nov 4, 18 cancelled

Dec 2 cancelled, 16 [awaiting confirmation]

There is an article about Playing Out in Grapevine 56