Child Friendly Communities

We have facilitated studies with local authorities and Leader groups in Galway City, Drogheda and East Meath to examine ways in which the community can be more child friendly.

This approach goes beyond play areas to examine a range of policies and programmes and involves community groups and sporting organisations. We provide support to local groups to examine:

The relevant policies of the local authority,

How the voices of children and youth are considered in the decision making processes of the local authority, agencies and community organisations?

What facilities are provided for children and youth, in terms of playgroups, holiday play schemes, after school clubs, playgrounds, recreational facilities, youth clubs, programmes for disadvantaged children and youth?

Who provides these facilities and where?

Questionnaires to schools, youth and community groups concerning children’s involvement and their needs, and finally,

Proposals to make the area more child friendly. These can include providing new playgrounds and recreational facilities, safer routes to school, including improved footpaths, cycleways and road crossings, public transport, Home Zones, and improved and extended youth programmes.
Tackling educational disadvantage may also be an issue in some areas. Priorities may also be attached to these issues where funding may be a concern.

For information of play projects around the world, see the ‘International Play Association’ for the child’s right to play. www.ipaworld.org

For further information on child friendly communities see the Sugradh website, www.playireland.ie