Play out in Kings Heath

Swan Corner Community Group and Woodcraft Folk South Birmingham want children to be able to play freely outside their own front door.  That's why we're really excited about Playing out, and why we're playing out Wheelers Lane for a third year running, on 7th July 5:30 to 9pm.

Active Parks have helped organising with Birmingham City Council and will bring archery, tennis, badminton, basketball, skittles, giant snakes and ladders, skipping ropes and more.

Playing out in Birmingham started in 2013 with 3 streets in Kings Heath closing for play.  That grew to 6 in 2014, and with increasing support from Birmingham City Council and Active Parks 22 streets closed in 2015 across Birmingham, and despite the weather, we're looking to top that in 2016.

Swan Corner Community Group has been supportive of playing out since it began, and organise playing out on Wheelers Lane service road near Swanshurst School annually.  Local residents provide support (activities, juice, biscuits, samosas too) to encourage local children to play on the now largely empty grass in front of their houses, which used to be filled with children playing.

Woodcraft Folk South Birmingham is a local youth group where children 'grow in confidence, learn about the world and start to understand how to value our planet and each other'.

'We believe passionately in equality and co-operation, aiming to have great fun, but also to try and develop children’s self-confidence and build their awareness of society around them.' 

Young people have fewer and fewer places to meet and play - 'playing out' is one way children can 'reclaim' the streets.  It also builds community cohesion.  Playing out is for young and old, looking to bring local communities together.  Why don't you come along and join us on 7th July on Wheelers Lane?