API Chair

Planning a new #play project? We are on hand to provide practical information, advice and a directory of compliant member companies. API member companies are experienced, professional and trustworthy. Their expertise and commitment will ensure that your project is in safe hands from beginning to end. Find out more here: api-play.org/about-us/benef…

Play England has submitted our response to @MHCLG consultations on reforms to national planning policy & guidance. These consultations follow Ministerial commitments in Parliament to strengthen national planning policy on play. playengland.org.uk/newsblog/play-… #ItAllStartsWithPlay

@API_ChairUK on the panel this morning discussing "The power of play in a future education system" at the #YSTConference. Read our latest national survey revealing the state of outdoor play in schools across England: api-play.org/school-zone/ @YouthSportTrust @PlayEngland @playingout #ItAllStartsWithPlay #APIPlayZone #PlayIsLearning

"Local #parks and #playgrounds are valuable spaces to get outside." @API_ChairUK Dr Amanda Gummer shares her top tips to get children moving and explains why it’s so important. bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-peo… #ItAllStartsWithPlay @CBeebiesHQ

We're excited to be exhibiting at the @YouthSportTrust Conference on 04 March. Visit the API Play Zone and meet some of our member companies, with practical solutions to support #schools and the #education sector in creating high-quality, #inclusive #play spaces. Find out more here: youthsporttrust.org/school-support… #YSTConference

‘The hidden cost of “deplaytion”’ - @NewStatesman Ban social media all you like – but don’t ignore their crap playgrounds newstatesman.com/politics/socie… Councils have long struggled to maintain their playgrounds or open new ones since budget cuts were imposed more than a decade and a half ago. In the UK, nearly 800 playgrounds closed between 2013 and 2023, and we’re still seeing the effects. From Leicester to Greenwich in south London, children are on the brink of losing beloved local adventure playgrounds because of council funding pressures. playengland.org.uk/newsblog/to-pl… Poorer play areas are part of this picture, as are overprotective parents, traffic, digital life and the more intensive school day. The [play] commission recommends a national play strategy from the government to address the problem. The last one was 18 years ago, before most adults owned a smartphone, let alone their kids. playengland.org.uk/newsblog/play-… In the most recent Budget, Rachel Reeves announced £18m to refurbish play areas. And for the first time, proposed revisions to national planning policy include the need to consider children in street and space design. playengland.org.uk/newsblog/play-… #ItAllStartsWithPlay! #EvrythingToPlayFor #PlaySufficiency #NationalPlayStrategy

All our members are bound by a Professional Code of Conduct to maintain a high and improving standard of service to the industry, promote best practice and provide high-quality #play provision: api-play.org/about-us/api-a… #APImembers

Every child needs somewhere they feel they belong. For children and young people, local playgrounds are that place - free spaces to #play and connect. This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, let’s support the systems around children by investing in high-quality, local, free playgrounds that help every child feel "I belong here". #ThisIsMyPlace #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek2026 #Playgrounds #ItAllStartsWithPlay #PathwayToPlay

After weeks of grey skies, tomorrow’s forecast is finally looking sunny and dry for many! Take the opportunity to get the kids out to your local #community #playground. Fresh air, movement and time to #play #outdoors all make a real difference. Enjoy! #PathwayToPlay #ItAllStartsWithPlay

The latest issue of @PlayNationMag is now live! Published bi-monthly, the magazine focuses on the policies, people and places that help children, young people and families to play and be more active. 📰➡️ playengland.org.uk/newsblog/playn… #PlayNation #ItAllStartsWithPlay

“We value our API membership very highly. We know first-hand that customers look for it when they’re choosing a #play provider." Find out what it means to be an API member here: api-play.org/our-members-sa… #APImembers

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all our members!

With #ScreenTime rising our President @BarryLeahey spoke on @BBC_Cumbria about the need for a #DigitalDetox & highlighted the urgent need to invest in UK #playgrounds. @apiplay Listen to the Full clip here👉bbc.in/44vuPnr (38:38) #InvestInPlay

WATCH: As we approach the end of the year, @API_ChairUK shares a short Christmas message reflecting on the year and looking ahead to 2026. Thank you to all our members for your continued support - here's to a happy, healthy and playful 2026! #ItAllStartsWithPlay #PathwayToPlay #EverythingToPlayFor

Today I joined the Chancellor, @RachelReevesMP, together with @TomHayesBmouth MP, Chair of the @APPGonPlay and @Rosie_Wrighting MP for Kettering, for a visit to @WicksteedPlay to discuss the Government’s £18 million investment in England’s playgrounds and the role of the British play industry in delivering it. playengland.org.uk/newsblog/play-… This investment is welcome. It is the first national commitment to children’s play since the 2008 National Play Strategy and has the potential to improve up to 200 playgrounds in the areas that need it most. But it a starting point, not a finish line! At yesterday’s @APPGonPlay, we brought together organisations from across the sector to set out what is needed for meaningful, long-term change. That includes not only capital investment in playgrounds, but a wider approach that recognises the importance of adventure playgrounds, staffed play provision and the playwork workforce. Without these, we risk improving playgrounds while leaving untouched the deeper issues affecting access, inclusion and children’s everyday experience of play. Having the chance to discuss this directly with the Chancellor today was only important, but pivotal. While our conversation focused on three priorities for delivering lasting impact: - A transparent, evidence-based model so investment reaches communities facing the greatest inequalities - Strong national guidance to support councils to plan, design and maintain inclusive and sustainable playgrounds - Long-term certainty for the British play industry We also discussed the wider structural reforms needed: a National Play Strategy, Play Sufficiency legislation, and our bold, new strategy - It All Starts with Play! which sets out a ten-year pathway to restoring a play-based childhood in England. It was a valuable opportunity to showcase the breadth and depth of British engineering, manufacturing and craftsmanship at Wicksteed. My thanks to Katherine Perkins and the team for hosting us and for demonstrating the capability and innovation that sit behind British-made play equipment. @PlayEngland will continue working across Government, Parliament and the sector to secure further investment, stronger policy and a coherent, rights-based national approach to play. That includes ongoing advocacy for adventure playgrounds, the playwork profession and play sufficiency as essential public infrastructure. #ItAllStartsWithPlay!

£18m for England’s playgrounds & the British play industry Today we joined @RachelReevesMP, @TomHayesBmouth & @Rosie_Wrighting at @WicksteedPlay to discuss how this investment can improve playgrounds & support manufacturing and jobs playengland.org.uk/newsblog/play-… #ItAllStartsWithPlay

Great to see so many API members and the API Chair @DrAmandaGummer addressing yesterday's APPG for Play at the Houses of Parliament. Congratulations to Chair @TomHayesBmouth who's campaigned tirelessly for the £18m investment and to @EugeneMinogue's work at @PlayEngland. What next for #play?!

The Association of Play Industries welcomes the Chancellor’s new funding and is urging councils to choose accredited, accountable, and financially robust suppliers. API members are independently vetted, adhere to a strict Code of Conduct, and come with the reassurance of a free mediation service, ensuring public money delivers safe, durable, high-quality play spaces for every community. Read the press release here - ow.ly/57oN50XwQRH #play #playgrounds #PlayForAll

API members strive to create #play spaces and #playgrounds which welcome and accommodate children of all abilities, so that all users can find something that brings them joy: api-play.org/inclusive-play/ #PlayForAll #AccessiblePlay #InclusiveDesign

It's #OutdoorClassroomDay! The State of Outdoor Play in Primary Schools - our latest national survey - reveals the real state of outdoor play in schools across England: rebrand.ly/a5w9rgz