As many of you will be aware, Birmingham PlayCare Network will always be found in the park during the summer months, offering a variety of play activities for all children across the city, stimulating fun, creativity and enjoyment in the great outdoors.
With up to 100 children passing through our Play in Parks sessions on a daily basis, it’s natural that some children will continue to visit for the duration of BPCN’s stay at a particular park, whilst some may only visit once.
Considering the volume of children using the facilities spanning across parks throughout the city, it’s fair to say that it would be almost impossible for all BPCN staff members to remember every child’s name and face, although we do our best!
However, the history and legacy of Birmingham PlayCare Network’s Play in Parks sessions came full circle this year. During the induction and training process of this summer’s playworkers, the team were in the office getting to know the core staff whilst completing administrative duties.
It was during this particular process that one of our new playworkers, Leanne commented on the large canvas photos that decorate our office space; Leanne recognised one of the boys as her brother.
As you can imagine, this was somewhat of a shock to all in the office, and after making some staff feel a little old it also came to light that Leanne had herself enjoyed some Play in Parks sessions with her brother many years ago, as she now joins the team facilitating the programme.
Her younger brother in the picture, who we estimated to be around nine years of age at the time, is now embarking on his first year at university. Leanne remembers the time she spent in the park as it was her first opportunity to experiment with making a controlled fire and she discussed how her brother had gone back every day with more of his friends.
We are so proud to see that, after so many years, the children we supported through providing play opportunities have grown into adults, and even better still, some now have an interest in giving something back to the initiative by representing Birmingham PlayCare Network, supporting future generations.