The Ready to Play project is designed to help create more active children who are healthier, happier and learn better - in the communities that need it most.

The project will support you and your organisation and staff to reduce health inequalities by improving early development and school readiness through active learning, as well as increase physical activity and build the knowledge, skills and confidence of staff.

Rise – we transform lives using the power of physical activity in the communities that need it most

The North East has higher rates of child poverty, obesity, inactivity - and lower levels of preschool development, compared to national averages.

These challenges disproportionately affect certain groups in our communities including low-income families, children with experience of the care system and those with disabilities.

Investing in early years settings serving these groups can reduce inequalities and improve outcomes at a critical time. 

We have created this project to address health inequalities and improve early educational outcomes.

We aim to improve early development and school readiness by providing equipment and training to settings and organisations who work with children 0-5, helping them to increase physical activity.

This project has been made possible by funding from the Child Health and Wellbeing Network, part of the NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB.

Successful applicants will get a package worth more than £650 including:

• FREE equipment for your setting or organisation to inspire open-ended Loose Parts Play

• FREE training for your staff from internationally renowned expert in play Ben Kingston-Hughes, as well as

  face-to-face training on the importance of physical movement for development

• LOADS of activity ideas to use with the children 

• Networking opportunities with other local organisations and settings to share best practice and ideas

• Information to share with parents and families to help you to connect with them and communicate importance of active play. 

Eligibility

Health and educational outcomes are statistically lower for children who fall into certain groups, for example children from low income families, children with SEND or children from ethnically diverse communities, among many other things. We want to use the Ready to Play project to support and champion children who face inequalities, to help break down barriers to help them thrive.

To be eligible for Ready to Play, your organisation must work with underserved communities in low-income areas where the NHS has highlighted a higher risk of health inequalities. To find out if your setting or organisation qualifies get in touch with Rise, providing your organisation’s full address and postcode to liliana.ciaraolo@wearerise.co.uk

Your setting or organisation must also:  

• Be in Northumberland or Tyne and Wear  

• Work directly with children aged 0-5  

• Be able to send at least one staff member to a face-to-face training session on 20th June 2024 (afternoon) at the Linskill Centre, North Shields.