Parks For Play

Charity 1132510

http://parksforplay.org/

Overview

Summary

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

Parks for Play appears to be a specialist inclusion organisation using play and leisure as infrastructure for participation, rather than treating recreation as an end in itself. Founded by families of autistic children, it combines highly individualised support with group-based opportunities spanning childhood to young adulthood. Its model seems designed both to create safe access for people routinely excluded from mainstream provision and to build social, emotional and independence skills over time, supported by grants, family fees and venue income.

See observations

Operational geography

Sources:ONSCivic AtlasAI-assisted

Coverage: District

Operational areas:

Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Weoley and Selly Oak

Confidence: medium

Parks for Play explicitly identifies Coronation Road Play Centre in Selly Oak as its base and states that it delivers regular play, youth and younger-adult sessions there. The evidence supports activity in Selly Oak, but does not directly establish the ward assignment.

  • Parks for Play, Contact Us
    The organisation says: 'Find us at Coronation Road Play Centre' and identifies it as being in Selly Oak.
  • Parks for Play, Hire & Parties
    The organisation states that it is based at Coronation Road Play Centre in Selly Oak and uses the building and outdoor play area for inclusive play sessions.
  • Parks for Play, Our Services
    Regular children, youth and younger-adult services are listed, with children and youth places prioritised for families living within three miles of the organisation's base; younger-adult provision prioritises Selly Oak constituency residents.
Stirchley

Confidence: medium

The organisation's current services page identifies a recurring monthly younger-adult disco in Stirchley. The evidence supports activity in Stirchley, but does not directly establish the ward assignment.

  • Parks for Play, Our Services
    The monthly Equal Vibes disco for people aged 19+ is listed at a venue in Stirchley.
  • Parks for Play, Younger Adults
    The organisation describes Sparkle as a monthly inclusive disco for disabled and neurodivergent young adults at a venue in Stirchley.
Remaining uncertainties
  • The organisation says staff may work from its Selly Oak base and 'community settings', but current public information does not identify those settings or show that they are regular delivery sites.
  • Parks for Play says it runs inclusive trips and treats across Birmingham when funding is available. This indicates potential citywide activity, but does not establish which trips are currently funded or where they operate.
  • The three-mile and two-mile admissions priorities describe intended prioritisation rather than a fixed service boundary; they should not be treated as proof of delivery in every ward within those catchments.
  • The available evidence supports a principally south-Birmingham, Selly Oak-centred operational identity with a recurring Stirchley venue, rather than a consistently citywide service footprint.
Additional evidence needed
  • A current programme, timetable or annual/impact report identifying all regular community delivery venues and the wards in which they operate.
  • Current evidence of funded trips, outreach or partnership delivery outside Selly Oak and Stirchley, including broad areas and frequency.
  • Confirmation from Parks for Play or its venue partner of the continuing status and frequency of the monthly Stirchley disco.

Areas of work

Source:Charity Commission
  • Disability
  • Education/training
  • General Charitable Purposes
  • Other Charitable Purposes
  • Recreation

Who they help

Source:Charity Commission
  • Children/young People
  • People With Disabilities

How they help

Source:Charity Commission
  • Provides Advocacy/advice/information
  • Provides Services

Discoveries involving this organisation

The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.

Observations

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

  • Inclusion is designed around access, not selection

    The organisation appears to position itself as a service for children and young people who may be excluded by standard play or youth provision. Its pre-attendance planning and stated willingness to support complex needs suggest that inclusion is operationally built into delivery, rather than offered as a general aspiration.

    Why it matters

    This helps explain its distinctive role: it may fill a gap between universal leisure services and more clinical or crisis-led support, enabling families to access ordinary social experiences with tailored preparation.

    Show evidence

    • “It states that it never excludes a child or young person regardless of disability, background, emotional needs or challenging behaviour.”

      Source:Organisation

    • “It gathers information on preferences, independence goals, medical needs, behavioural challenges, communication needs and family support needs before attendance.”

      Source:Organisation

  • Play is used as a long-term pathway to participation

    Parks for Play appears to use self-directed play as a developmental method, linking leisure activity to social connection, resilience and independence. Its provision across several age groups, including adults aged 19–30, may indicate an attempt to sustain this pathway beyond childhood.

    Why it matters

    The organisation is better understood as building participation over time, not simply providing short-break childcare or occasional activities.

    Show evidence

    • “Its play principles state that play is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated.”

      Source:Organisation

    • “It runs services for under-12s, primary-aged children, young people aged 13–18 and adults aged 19–30.”

      Source:Organisation

  • The organisation has a hybrid community-finance model

    The available evidence suggests that Parks for Play combines grant funding with modest family charges, donations and venue hire. This may reduce reliance on a single income source while also making its physical space part of its wider social mission.

    Why it matters

    Its financial model may shape both resilience and vulnerability: venue income and fees can diversify funding, but service continuity may still depend substantially on time-limited grants.

    Show evidence

    • “Current funders listed for 2024–26 include the National Lottery Community Fund, Birmingham City Council programmes and several trusts.”

      Source:Organisation

    • “It charges families for sessions and hires its indoor and outdoor space, stating that hire income goes back into service delivery.”

      Source:Organisation

    Remaining uncertainties

  • There is no evidence on demand, waiting lists, geographic reach or which families are unable to access the service.
  • The evidence does not show participant outcomes, family experiences or transitions into wider community opportunities.
  • It is unclear how the organisation works with schools, health services, social care or mainstream leisure providers.

    Additional evidence needed

  • Service data showing attendance, unmet demand, participant profiles and outcomes by age and support need.
  • Evidence of referral routes, partnerships and participants' access to activities beyond Parks for Play.
  • Financial accounts or funding data showing the balance between grants, fees, venue hire and unrestricted income.
Charity Commission profile
Source:Charity Commission

Activities

To provide access to outdoor activities for children in parks and public spaces to help them develop & mature. To raise awareness in equality and diversity through sports, arts, leisure & play. To develop the skills of all children and young people, especially disabled children in such a way that they are better able to participate more fully in society.

Charity objects

3.1 TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY BY THE USE OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES: 3.2 TO HELP CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO DEVELOP THEIR CAPABILITIES THAT THEY MAY GROW TO FULL MATURITY AS INDIVIDUALS AND MEMBERS OF SOCIETY: 3.3 TO PROVIDE, IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE, RECREATIONAL, LEISURE AND ARTS FACILITIES FOR THE EDUCATIONAL, MORAL, INTELLECTUAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE AND CULTIVATING A SENTIMENT IN FAVOUR OF EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY. 3.4 TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN SUCH A WAY THAT HELPS THEM PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN SOCIETY. 3.5 TO FURTHER SUCH OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AS THE TRUSTEES SHALL FROM TIME TO TIME THINK FIT.