The Play Well Podcast

Dr Naomi Lott is the John Fell Research Fellow, at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, where she is Co-Investigator on the project ‘Developing a Framework for Implementing the Right to Play’. Naomi is also a Lecturer in Law at UCL. Naomi has recently completed her ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Oxford, Faculty of Law, where she was Principal-Investigator on the project ‘Adva...

NB: Due to poor internet connection, this episode has some glitching. We have edited this where possible. Thank you for listening! This month we celebrate 35 years of Care and Learning Alliance in the Highlands! We speak with the Chief Executive, Jaci Douglas and the Head of Quality, Learning and Workforce Development, Corrina Shearer about all things CALA and play. Care and Learning Alliance (CAL...

Mick Conway started his playwork career on Bermondsey adventure playground in 1978. He went on to become Director of Hackney Play Association where he was a founder of Playday, created the Quality in Play system and was a consultant on development of the Playwork Principles. He helped set up London Play and Play England and ended up back where he started, working on adventure playgrounds in Isling...

This month on The Playwell Podcast we will be discussing childrens use of video games, and how they impact and interact with childrens play. To explore this, we will hear from Andy Roberston. Andy is a gaming journalist who wrote the book 'Taming Gaming', and runs a family gaming database. He has written for The Guardian, Forbes, and appears on BBC TV. Listen to hear our Project Support Intern, Ch...

In this episode, we will look at Play in Museums. To explore this we will hear from Lauren Henning and Loretta Mordi. Lauren Henning is the Learning and Museum Manager at the Tall Ship Glenlee in Glasgow. From West Lothian forests, onboard Glaswegian ships to Orcadian galleries, Lauren has worked in cultural and heritage organisations the length and breadth of Scotland and joined the Glenlee team...

In this episode, we will look at Dungeons & Dragons at school, in primary and secondary. To explore this we will hear from Debs Barrie & Andrew Hay. Andrew Hay is the Principal Teacher of Technologies at Newbattle High School where he runs a Dungeons and Dragons club. He supports the 66th Edinburgh Boys' Brigade company as Captain and Games master of the Dungeons and Dragons games they pla...

This is a takeover episode! Play Scotland recently attended the International Play Association Conference in Glasgow. This episode of our podcast is made up of are reflections from this conference. PEEK (Possibilities for Each and Every Kid) seeks to support children, young people and families in Glasgow by raising their hopes and aspirations, achieve goals and work towards increasing their expect...

This is a takeover episode! Play Scotland recently attended the International Play Association Conference in Glasgow. The next few episodes of our podcast are reflections from this conference. The Aileymillers are a group of children who shared their thoughts about play linked to the conference themes, whilst engaged in play as a strand of children’s participation in the 2023 IPA conference. They...

This is a takeover episode! Play Scotland recently attended the International Play Association Conference in Glasgow. The next few episodes of our podcast are reflections from this conference. In this episode, Tam Baillie poses questions from children around the world to Philip Jaffé. Prof. Philip D. Jaffé is a professor at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and the founding director of its Ce...

In this episode, we will look at play and screen time. To explore this we will hear from Dr Aaron Balick. Aaron is a psychotherapist, author and psychological consultant with a special interest in the psychology of technology. He is the author of the children’s self-help book, Keep Your Cool. Here is our Learning & Development Officer Jenny Lester catching up with Aaron. Click here to read the...

In this episode, we will look at playtime at school. To explore this we will hear from Michael Follet. Michael is the founder and director of OPAL - Outdoor Play and Learning. A school improvement initiative which works across the UK and beyond. He has a wealth of experience as a playworker, teacher and school improvement officer. He is the author of ‘Creating Excellence in Primary School Playtime...

In this episode, we will look at play in hospitals. To explore this we will hear from Teri Wright and Margaret McEwan. Teri is a Health Play Specialist at Glasgow Children's Hospital. She was recently nominated for the Children’s Health Scotland Awards for her work. Margaret has been the Play Services Co-ordinator at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People since 2017. For her work support...

In this episode, we will be looking at children playing out in the local area. To explore this we will be speaking to Ingrid Skeels and Cherie Morgan. Ingrid is the Co-Director of Playing Out. Playing Out is a national organisation and movement for long-term change, supporting children’s right to play outside on their streets and in their local area. She is passionate about the importance of freed...

In this episode, we will be discussing how practitioners can support parents to discover the power of play and encourage play at home. To discuss this we will hear from Evie Keough. Evie is the founder and CEO of Boromi – a play libraries charity. Evie has taught in primary schools from rural Dumfriesshire to central London, where she developed the idea for borrow boxes of toys for home play. She...

In this episode, we will discuss play in Cultural Heritage Settings. To explore this we will hear from Russell Clegg. Russell is a project worker at the Living Memory Association. He previously worked as a primary school teacher and has a wealth of experience in engagement in heritage sites. Find out more here: https://www.livingmemory.org.uk/

In this episode, we will discuss play in the Health and Social Care Standards, UNCRC incorporation, and the Promise. To explore this we will hear from Henry Mathias. Henry is the Strategic Lead - Standards for Health and Social Care at the Care Inspectorate. Henry played a key role in ensuring a child’s right to play has statutory backing in Scotland through the development of the Health and Socia...

In this episode, we will discuss play and poetry. To explore this, our Learning & Development Officer, Jenny Lester, catches up with Joseph Coelho. Joseph is a British poet and children's book author who was elected Children's Laureate in 2022. He has dedicated his career to making poetry accessible to all, with a focus on children and young people. To find out more about his work and his upcoming...

In this episode, we will discuss play for D/deaf children. To explore this, our Learning & Development Officer, Jenny Lester, catches up with Faith Robyn from the National Deaf Children’s Society. Faith is the Bright Start Development Manager at the National Deaf Children’s Society, working to support deaf children, their families and their practitioners in the early years. As a deaf adult, Faith...

In this episode, we will discuss playful transitions from nursery to primary one. To explore this, our Learning & Development Officer, Jenny Lester, catches up with Fiona Thomson from Twinkl. Fiona is the Early Learning and Childcare Segment Manager for Twinkl Scotland. She previously worked in a private nursery for 3 years and a local authority setting for 5 years, gaining both an SVQ 3 and degre...

In this episode, we will discuss risky play. To explore this, our Cheif Executive Marguerite Hunter Blair catches up with Tim Gill. Tim Gill is an independent scholar, writer and consultant on childhood, and a global advocate for children’s play and mobility. Tim is a global leader of the movement for a balanced, thoughtful approach to risk in childhood. He is one of the architects of risk benefit...

In this episode, we will look at autism and play. To explore this our Learning & Development Officer Jenny Lester catches up with Dr Robert Grant. Dr. Grant is a licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. He is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy which is an integrative family play therapy approach. He is also currently serving as the chair...

In this episode, we will look at youth work and play. To explore this our Director Marguerite Hunter Blair speaks to Kevin Kane, Policy and Research Manager at Youth Link Scotland. Kevin leads the development of youth work policy impacting on young people’s lives, investigating and responding to current and emerging policy and legislative issues affecting young people and the youth work sector. He...

In this episode, we will look at partnership working to plan for play at local authority level. To explore this our Head of Projects, Cherie Morgan, caught up with Audrey White from Dundee City council. Audrey is the Education Support Officer for the Children and Families Service, Dundee City Council. She has a degree in physical education and she is passionate about improving the health and wellb...

In this episode, we will look at how to engage children and young people in planning. This is the perfect place to start if you are looking to engage with children and young people on the NPF4 (Draft), or on an Open Place Plan or Play Sufficiency Assessment. To explore this, our Learning and Development Officer Jenny Lester catches up with Dr. Jenny Wood from a Place in Childhood. Jenny is a train...

In this episode, we will look at play, sport, and physical activity, and how play can be used to lead to better outcomes for all children. To explore this, our Head of Projects Cherie Morgan catches up with Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland Lee Craigie, and Thrive Outdoors Fund Manager from Inspiring Scotland Melodie Crumlin.