Sutcliffe Play sponsor the Lifetime in Play in London Awards 2007

Polly Toynbee presented the Lifetime in Play in London Award 2007 to Sandra Melville, former director of PLAYLINK until retiring in 2005.  The Award, sponsored by Sutcliffe Play, was presented at a Parliamentary Reception hosted by Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury on 29 March 2007.

London Play launched the award in 2005-06 to recognise the contribution made by London’s playwork sector to the happiness and well-being of London’s children and young people. It is only the second time that the award is being presented.

The Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, London Play’s newest Patron, said: “I remember well being initiated into my responsibilities as Secretary of State for Play. This was marked at the Hayward Adventure Playground in my Islington constituency where I simply had to have a go on the American swing, regardless of the supposed dignity of my Cabinet status. I am pleased that the long wait for lottery funding for play that I campaigned for is now over, and that the first allocations are coming into the sector. Sandra Melville was one of the people who never gave up. She kept on knocking on Departmental doors, and always reminded us never to lose sight of the needs of the child.”

Melian Mansfield, Chair of London Play, adds: “London Play is delighted that the Award goes to Sandra Melville and that her lifetime achievement can be given the public recognition it deserves.”

Polly Toynbee, Guardian columnist and broadcaster, and London Play Patron, said:
“Playworkers share in the lower status generally accorded to work with children. But they face the added difficulty that their work is to do with what is currently seen as the most marginal aspect of children’s lives – their free time. I’m pleased to present the award to Sandra Melville who has been an active and effective advocate of children’s play for more than 25 years. Though no longer professionally involved, she maintains a strong personal commitment to the view that children must have access to a variety of attractive and intriguing environments for play.”

Sandra Melville says: “I am truly overwhelmed and deeply honoured to receive the Lifetime in Play in London award. I have been inspired by watching children play, seeing what they are capable of when left to their own devices, entranced by their flair and competence. I firmly believe that a right thinking society guarantees time, and a multitude of spaces full of possibility, for children to play freely. I regret the loss of intimate neighbourhood adventure playgrounds, and despite some shining counter examples, London’s school playgrounds remain a disgracefully wasted resource.  They need to be re-imagined as ‘places for play’ and then to be available to local children out of school hours. There is still a lot to be done – but it is for others now to carry forward the momentum.”

Further information regarding London Play can be viewed at  www.londonplay.org.uk 

Further details regarding Sutclliffe Play can be viewed at www.sutcliffeplay.co.uk

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