Council pledges support to children’s play in Aberdeen

25 January 2018

Aberdeen City Council has renewed its commitment to support the right of all children and young people in Aberdeen to play regardless of their needs, background or abilities – underlined by a multi-million pound investment over the past five years.

At a meeting of the Education and Children’s Services committee, councillors today (Thursday 25 January) approved the updated City Play Policy and Strategy as part of the celebrations for the Year of Young People 2018.

The Play Policy and Strategy 2018 updates and replaces the Play Policy launched in 2013, with the achievements since then noted by members of the committee.

An investment of £3.3million in the refurbishment and redevelopment of 101 city play areas and being commended as a City of Play by the Care Inspectorate in 2015 were both highlighted at today’s meeting.

Councillor John Wheeler, Convener of Education and Children’s Services, said: “I am absolutely delighted to sign off the new Play Policy and Strategy. Aberdeen has a long history of supporting children’s right to play, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“We are also well on the way to becoming a Unicef Child Friendly City and our new policy will play an important part of the great work we are doing in that regard.

“The investment the Council makes in play facilities is vital, but is just part of a far wider picture in which support and providing opportunities for children from all of our communities are helping young people to thrive. We’re committed to continuing that work.

“It is fitting that the updated policy comes in the year we celebrate the Year of Young People. Aberdeen City Council has set aside £100,000 for the year’s celebrations and that fund will be at the heart of an award programme open to groups and organisations in the city to deliver an engaging and varied range of youth and cultural projects.”