14 September 2011
In many communities children are confronted with signs saying 'no ball games' or other official notices instructing them to play elsewhere, but in the Caerphilly county borough new signs are being erected which actually encourage children and young people to have fun outdoors.
The second phase of the installation of 'Please Play Here' signs has been completed in 10 areas selected by the children of Caerphilly's Junior Forum.
The Forum is an ongoing mechanism for children to be involved in decision-making at county-wide level and is made up of 132, 7-11 year olds from 59 primary schools throughout the county borough.
"The 'Please Play Here' signs are designed to show children the specific areas where they can play safely, as well as to make it clear to residents that children are entitled to play within their communities, reducing perceptions of 'Anti-Social' behaviour," said Cllr Phil Bevan, Caerphilly council's cabinet member for education and leisure. "It is vital that play continues to be promoted as a way for children to stay active and socialise within their communities."
This latest project follows the installation of 8 previous signs installed in 2010 through the Gwent Association of Voluntary Action (GAVO) Play Team, bringing to total number of signs installed to 18. Both projects were funded by Caerphilly Children and Young People's Partnership and contribute to achieving the outcomes within the local Play Strategy.
Local consultation took place with children and the local Communities First Partnerships as to where the signage would be most beneficial to the whole community. For the latest versions of the signs the Junior Forum helped to write a bid for money and also ran a competition for children to design the signs.
The ten locations are in Blackwood, Caerphilly, Penllwyn, Wyllie, Ynysddu, Gelligaer, Fleur de Lys, Crosskeys and Nelson.
- Return to News