This weekend Trowbridge Town Council and Selwood Housing’s Priority Neighbourhoods Team worked together to bring the first ‘Play Streets’ pilot session to Trowbridge.
Play Streets are a simple idea that aim to restore children’s freedom to play out in the streets and spaces where they live, for their health, happiness and sense of belonging. Play Streets (or ‘playing out’ sessions) are neighbour-led short road closures, creating a safe space for children to play freely together on their doorstep. The key is allowing children to play freely, without organised games or activities.
Trowbridge Town Council applied for the road closure to enable the first trial session to take place in Westfield Close on Sunday 26th June from 2pm – 4pm. Children came out on to the street to enjoy the sunshine and make the most of being able to scoot, skate, chalk, skip, hopscotch, kick a ball around and make up games right outside their houses. It was great to see neighbours come together and join in the fun!
Selwood Housing kindly put together simple play resources to encourage and stimulate play. Their team were available throughout the event to engage with residents. Active Trowbridge staff were on hand to encourage children to join in and get playing! The Community team at Tesco Extra in Trowbridge kindly donated healthy snacks and drinks to offer the families that joined us.
This is the first session of its kind in Trowbridge and we are keen to find other locations and communities who would be interested in getting Play Streets started on their doorsteps. If this project is something that you would like to find out more about or if you would like to set up a Play Street session in your community, please do get in touch to discuss further – ev****@tr********.uk.
