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Children's Play Programme

Play Equipment

There is no question that play is vital to the development of children and young people.

Play is essential in the mental and physical development of children and young people and yet modern definitions tend to restrict ‘play’ primarily to 0 – 14 year olds. It could well be very ‘un-cool’ to suggest to a 16 year old that he/she ought to play more!

Play does not necessarily have to stop in adulthood. George Bernard-Shaw said:  "We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing".

North Norfolk has particular challenges and opportunities in terms of play provision. The district is predominantly rural with a high percentage of people living in small relatively isolated settlements. Consequently this geographical isolation can present problems for people to access services and facilities but the District's unique natural environment provides a valuable resource for play.

In 2007 following widespread consultation the Council published “Playing About” a three year strategy for play which aims to provide a framework for an integrated and informed approach to play provision in its widest sense across the district.

Play Strategy (0.13Mb)

This Strategy is instrumental in forming an integrated and informed approach to the provision of play opportunities on a district wide scale by creating new opportunities or improving those that already exist.

North Norfolk District Council successfully bid for £200,000 from the Children’s Play Programme to increase access to fun places to play in North Norfolk through 2 projects.

Open spaces becoming adventurous, exciting, fun places

This project so far has enabled either new play or skate park equipment aimed primarily at children aged 7 -11 in 4 parishes in North Norfolk, Bacton, Briston, Little Snoring and Neatishead where there were no existing or poor facilities.

For further information please contact the Health Improvement Officer on 01263 516173.

DROP IN, HANG OUT, HAVE FUN

Drop in hang out have fun

NOW IN THESE AREAS

Delivered for North Norfolk District Council by The Benjamin Foundation and Norfolk Youth Service, free weekly drop in play / activity sessions will be held for children aged between 11 and 16 years of age, based in four rural locations. The sessions run from from 6:30pm - 8:30pm commencing the first week of November 2010 for all areas except Worstead where the first session will commence Wednesday 10 November.

  • Walsingham Village Hall on Monday evenings
  • Walcott Village Hall on Tuesday evenings
  • Worstead Village Hall on Wednesday evenings
  • Potter Heigham, Methodist Church Hall onThursday evenings
  • North Walsham, Carpenter's Arms on Friday evenings

The sessions provide an informal place for young people to meet their friends, have fun, relax, socialise, take part in activities and try out new things in a safe, warm, supported environment.

Contact the Health Improvement Officer Tel: 01263 516173