Play service

Play rangers

Calderdale Play Rangers is a mobile play project which offers open access play in Calderdale. It aims to create a safe place for children and young people to play and create opportunities for them to take ownership of their local area.

What are Play Rangers?

Calderdale Play Rangers provide open access play opportunities for children and young people aged 5-14 years old (children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult). A range of activities are provided for the children, both free play and structured play activities. The Play Rangers aim to provide more challenging play, which encourages children and young people to take risks. The team work from a van filled with various equipment such as: arts & craft, sporting equipment, mobile play equipment, parachutes, tables and many more. The rangers bring the vans into different areas of Calderdale to create some play spaces. They operate in open spaces were children and young people can play.

How it works?

Sessions are open to all children and young people aged 8-14 years. Children who are younger than 8 must have parental supervision if they wish to join in but they will need to be registered on site.

The Play Rangers work in parks and outdoor spaces which operate on an open-access basis, meaning that children and young people are free to come and go as they please.

Play Rangers give children and young people the opportunities to get back outdoors to play, with the knowledge that they will be there to support them.

All children and young people can attend the sessions as activities are tailored to their individual needs. Inclusive play is encouraged and as the sessions are held within the local communities, this is easier to achieve. Children and young people with disabilities also attend the play sessions, as we offer them play opportunities which they may not have had. The Play Rangers encourage children and young people to become more involved in their community and get involved in events such as clean up days and community events. The workers believe they are perceived as positive role models through play and many of the children and young people go to them with personal issues, which they try and help them to resolve.

Play Rangers offer a variety of free play and structured activities, children and young people can choose what they want to do. All the activities are child lead and appropriate to age and abilities. The play service regularly consults with children, young people and parents about how to improve the service. Children and young people are involved with the range of equipment which is purchased and were consulted on the designs of the play ranger vehicles. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to stay to play and to become volunteers to support the projects. All volunteers are CRB checked and training is offered to further their skills.

Staff, policies and funding

The staff qualifications include a Degree in Playwork and Science, NVQ L3 in Playwork, youth work and many more. The project is run by the Play Service, who employs Play Rangers and a coordinator to deliver the project. Play Rangers is funded by the Big Lottery Fund for 2 years. The team are in the process of submitting a number of funding applications. In-depth policies and procedures relating to Equal Opportunities, Child Protection, and Health & Safety are all followed. The service is supported by Calderdale Council and monitored regularly.

The service is free of charge and the children and young people don’t need to book places. As the scheme operates on an open access basis, they are free to come and go as they please. The schemes run evenings, weekends and during holidays. The schemes run all year round. Children and young people’s ages range from 5 to 14 year olds, although some younger children sometimes attend with siblings or parents. We can have as many as 40 attending a session. Attendance rates depend on the location, weather and other activities within the area.

Big Lottery Fund|
Every year the Big Lottery Fund gives out millions of pounds from the National Lottery to good causes. The money goes to community groups and to projects that improve health, education and the environment.