Come out to Play
Basingstoke 14 January 2012

In conjunction with Basingstoke & Deane Council and Hampshire Play Network, Re:Play organised a Play Networking event at Winklebury Infant School in Basingstoke.

The two key principles of our networking events are to offer an opportunity for the delegates to meet others in the sector and share experiences, and to facilitate them to develop their practice in playwork through the workshop sessions offered.  This time we had: 

Playing with the Elements delivered by Annie Cook from Crechendo, and Noisemakers Using Scrap delivered by CJ from Milton Keynes Play Association (and chair of Re:Play).

Although chilly and frosty, we were lucky to have a bright and sunny morning, and started the event with a short review of Re:Play and our plans from our Chair, CJ, and an update on regional activities in Hampshire from Melissa Juniper of Hampshire Play Network; finally Christine Andrews of Re:Play talked about the national picture. 

A wide range of stands were available displaying information and things to buy, including the Milton Keynes Play Association scrap store, with a variety of random goods essential to any play setting; Basingstoke Play Council; Create Training and Crechendo, playwork training providers; and Stompers, which offers a huge range of equipment for working with children, including dressing up clothes.

The two workshops were run twice so that everyone had a chance to take part.  Playing with the Elements took place in the school grounds, when amongst other things the participants divided into two teams and set up a range of clues for each other to follow.  Despite the cold everyone enjoyed themselves.

Participants’ feedback:
-  Loved the mud painting 
-  Excellent outdoor ideas, definitely taking some of the ideas back with me.
-  Although our children make mud pies I had never thought to make art with mud
-  Was interesting to see what can be done outside with natural resources.  I learnt a lot in this workshop 
-  Good to do something outside with some easily available resources.

The Noisemakers workshop was lots of fun, and involved making tubular noisemakers out of long rolls of tubing using saws, drills and acres of duct tape. 

Participants’ feedback:
-  Brilliant ideas out of nothing.  Will be able to do with all ages.
-  Excellent ideas to work on and develop.  Useful for EYFS learning.
-  There was a range of noise makers which was good as normally it’s only drums or shakers.
-  It was good to find out why the noise maker worked and have time to keep trying until successful
-  Was fun and easy and can appeal to all age ranges.  --  Was interesting to see what different types of noises you could produce.

Get a taste of our workshops from our film on YouTube!

Re:Play is planning another Play Networking event soon – please contact us if you would like more information.

Other comments from the day:
-  The day and workshops were very enjoyable.
-  Excellent workshops, really good fun.
-  Good to network with other training providers.
-  Enjoyed it and taking home some very good ideas.
-  Need this kind of thing to happen in West Berkshire LA.
-  Thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt so much.  Thank you!
-  Both workshops were inspirational and worth the 2.5 hour drive!
-  Great day with lot of ideas and links to take away plus extra training to connect to.