Play Rangers
What are Play Rangers?
Play Rangers are outreach playworkers who provide play opportunities
for children and young people aged 5-13 years old in parks and open
spaces. Since September 2007 Bristol Playbus Project has been working in
conjunction with Bristol City Council to provide Play Ranger projects in
Barton Hill and Lawrence Weston. We currently work in three open spaces in
Lawrence Weston that have been chosen in conjunction with the community
and the young people as places where children gather and need positive
activities.
Our sessions are held after school and they are free and inclusive to all
children and young people. The sessions are open access that means that
children are able to come and go as they please.
The ethos of the work is to encourage children and young people to
re-engage with their parks and open spaces by using environmental
activities, encouraging healthy living through cooking and outdoor sports
and games.
The team encourage the children to explore their interests and try new
things and gain new skills. For example this year the children have been
awarded the Bristol Award for the first time, this recognises young
people’s commitment in learning new skills and can be a really valuable
tool for encouraging those who may not have much confidence.
Over the summer a few children applied (with support of the Play Ranger
team) to the Well Being Fund for funding to pay for summer trips. They
then helped to plan the trips to Blaise, Jump and Avon Valley Country
Park.
We work in partnership with Housing Services in Lawrence Weston who allow
us to use the ‘PlayFlat’ which is a council owned facility designed for
community groups and children. It is equipped with an Art room, A fully
equipped kitchen and a ball pit. It also benifits from a garden. This has
enabled us to grow some vegetables with the parents which we were able to
cook and enjoy together.
The children have helped to improve the flat by creating a mural of the
Simpsons.
What activities do we offer?
We offer play opportunities that fully utilise the potential of playing
outdoors including activities such as tree climbing, hammocks, cooking,
sports, imaginative play with loose parts, arts and crafts, physical games
and environmental awareness activities.
Our activities encourage children to play outdoors away from the TV &
computers and we offer a safe environment in which children can take
measured risks such as using flints and different materials to light fires
in a fire wok whilst under supervision.
This teaches the children to be more resourceful and to use the materials
available to them locally.
Our sessions support socialising with peers and engaging with their
community. We have many links with community groups in the areas in which
we work, which help to create sustainable play experiences for the future.
Current session times
Lawrence Weston Play Rangers – 3.15 to 5.45pm
Tuesdays - De Clifford Rd
Wednesdays - Beverston Gardens
Thursdays - Henacre –Inside Playflat when wet/cold
