The Association of Play Industries is ramping up their election activity to ensure that the inactivity crisis facing children is placed at the heart of politics this election and beyond.
API Chair, Mark Hardy says: “The massive decline in public playgrounds is a public health issue. Our Play Must Stay campaign highlights that children are not playing outside anymore.
“Unless these playgrounds are reinstated and a commitment made to protect community playgrounds, children will continue to stay indoors on their screens – alone and inactive – at great cost to their physical and mental health.”
The API has now joined forces with the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition (CYPMHC), an organisation comprising leading bodies concerned with children’s mental health.
“Last Friday we joined with 147 other organisations in a major social media event – #ChildrenAtTheHeart – launching our new election manifesto and signing a joint open letter to election leaders asking them to remember that it’s children who will be most affected by the outcome of next week’s election.”
The API also attended an Election Reception hosted by the Sports and Recreational Alliance where delegates pitched their questions to party representatives.
“It’s vital that we continue to keep the pressure on all political parties to prioritise outdoor play and playgrounds and working with like minded organisations is a key part of our strategy,” says Mark.
“The mass closure of playgrounds means that outdoor play is being denied to thousands of children. In urban areas playgrounds are the only opportunity children get to play outdoors. There is a national crisis going in our communities as we continue to lose public play spaces at an alarming rate.
“We are asking for a pledge from the next government to invest in playgrounds before it is too late.”
Notes to Editors
The Association of Play Industries (API) www.api-play.org is the lead trade body within the play sector and campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition for play. Its members are leading manufacturers, installers, designers and distributors of both outdoor and indoor play equipment and safety surfacing. Founded in 1984, the API represents 85% of the play industry.
The API operates under the umbrella of the Federation of Sports and Play Associations (FSPA), the national trade body responsible for representing Sports and Play Associations in the UK’s sport and play industries. www.sportsandplay.com
Media Contacts
Mary Lubrano, Head of Communications. For further comment on the Play Must Stay campaign contact Mary on e: [email protected] m: 07999 550452
