20,000 volunteers needed to help children play

A third of children have never climbed a treeEnglish charity Play England is to start a recruitment drive to mobilise 20,000 volunteers to help children to learn to play.

Funded by the Government's Big Society Fund, Play England will lead a group of children's charities to recruit the volunteers to build play areas, run holiday play schemes, organise street parties, help at adventure playgrounds or become involved with the running of play organisations as a trustee.

The initiative follows the results of research which found that one in five children does not get to play outside, a third have never climbed a tree, or built a den, and one in ten cannot even ride a bike. The trend is being blamed on a lack of outdoor play facilities, made worse by council funding cuts, and over protective teachers and parents.

Play England director Catherine Prisk said: "Playing outside, chalking on the pavement, climbing trees and riding your bike are simple pleasures that many of today’s children are missing out on.

"Play is essential for children's health and happiness now, and is also essential for making friends, building key skills for the future and for feeling you are part of a community."

Committing £2m to fund the initiative, Minister for civil society Nick Hurd said: "Over the past 10 years a culture of red tape has stifled the freedom of children to climb trees, make dens and enjoy the simple pleasure of outdoor play."