The City of Wolverhampton Council and grassroots movement Wolverhampton for Everyone are working together to bring Playing Out sessions to the city.
Playing Out was originally developed in Bristol. It enables the local community to organise short, stewarded road closures which allow children to play safely outside their homes. The aim is to make streets feel safer and friendlier for everyone.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The benefits of playing outside for children is well known. Not only does playing provide valuable physical exercise, it enables children to make friends, learn new skills and gain independence.
"Thanks to the Playing Out initiative, we hope to give more children in Wolverhampton the opportunity to do this safely, easily and close to home."
Residents are being offered the support they need to make this happen in their own community, and anyone who wants to find out more is invited to attend a free workshop on Thursday 12 March from 1pm to 3.30pm at Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council, Temple Street, Wolverhampton.
The workshop will explain what Playing Out is, the benefits, the free resources available to make it happen and step by step guidance. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment - for details, please visit eventbrite.
The Playing Out concept was tested in Whitmore Reans during the October half term holidays, when Great Hampton Street was closed for an afternoon of games. Without traffic on the street, children and families came together to make new friends and enjoy a range of games such as skipping and football.
Councillor Jaspal said: "The Playing Out afternoon in Great Hampton Street was hugely successful, with lots of children taking part with their parents and making new friends. We're looking forward to seeing many more of these sessions across the city in the future."
For more information, please book a place on the workshop on 12 March via eventbrite or visit Wolverhampton Information Network, where a step by step guide to organising a Playing Out session is available.
Wolverhampton for Everyone is a collective of people and organisations who want create a people powered city. Its vision is of a city where everyone feels able to participate in creating the city they want to live and work in. To find out more about, please visit Wolverhampton for Everyone.
