Torbay Play Forum

Torbay Play Forum is an independent charity for children’s play in Torbay. Its aim is to increase awareness and understanding of the critical importance of play in children’s development. The Forum supports the growth of quality play provision and acts in an advisory and consultative capacity. It raises funds to provide new opportunities for children and young people. It also develops training and networking opportunities for playworkers and is a supportive information resource.

The Torbay Play Strategy is currently under review if you would like to feed back and support this process please feel free to contact us Torbay Play Forumcontact us

To Read the Torbay Play Strategy

Play Torbay

At a meeting of the Executive on 9 March it was unanimously agreed to become a ‘not for profit’ membership organisation and register PLAY TORBAY as a Company Limited by Guarantee as well as a Registered Charity

PLAY TORBAY  is on the way, but the launch date which was 24 May is now Thursday 7 October 2010.  It will be a voice for children, young people and adults in Torbay who are passionate about play.  The future of PLAY TORBAY includes providing exciting, adventurous and creative play experiences free of charge, supporting high quality inclusive play settings and being an information hub for everything to do with play in the Bay.  For more information about the new organisation see Read the Play Torbay agreed proposals.

PlayPods Come to Torbay!

The Scrapstore PlayPod developed in Bristol is on the move. A PlayPod is a huge container of materials and equipment (mainly recycled loose parts) that children can take out to play.

PlayPods are now becoming a popular feature of school lunchtimes providing hours of creative play. Teachers and lunchtime supervisers say that the PlayPod has a really positive effect on pupils' level of cooperation and enjoyment.

PlayPods after school too!

In Torbay we are developing the idea to provide play opportunities after school too. Working in partnership with the Children's Scrapstore in Bristol, two fully accessible PlayPods are on their way and will be sited at the Acorn Centre in Barton Torquay and at Indigos, Chestnut Heights Primary School in Brixham.

The aim is to run accessible play sessions for disabled children who might not get the oppotunity for free play otherwise. It is known that the greater the range of experiences that are presented by a play environment the more children will naturally explore and learn through play. The vital ingredient for these experiences are loose parts; attractive, flexible materials which children can readily change, adapt and manipulate for themselves.

The PlayPod provides a fully accessible and controllable environment for ALL children to play how they want.

The new PlayPods are expected to arrive in September. It will be possible for organisations and groups to book PlayPod sessions through the Play Forum. Please contact Sarah-Jane for more information. sarah-jane@torbayplay.org.uk