When Child-Friendly Leeds heard about the fantastic work being done for children and families through the Mini-Play Box Scheme in Seacroft (Boggart Hill), they were keen to support the initiative and help provide FREE resources for even more vulnerable families. The resources encourage children to be more physically active whilst promoting good mental health and wellbeing.

Child-Friendly Leeds administer the Play Enabling Grant on behalf of the city, which is usually allocated to support outdoor play schemes.  In light of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, CFL was keen to respond to the need for children to stay at home by using some of this funding to produce and distribute over 1000 mini play boxes.

The Mini Play Box Scheme was originally created by two local charities based in Seacroft; Fall into Place (https://fallintoplace.co.uk/) and LS14 Trust (http://www.ls14trust.org/) plus a Community Interest Company (CIC) Playful Anywhere (https://www.playfulanywhere.fun/about-1) and social enterprise Seagulls Paint (https://seagullsreuse.org.uk)

Child-Friendly Leeds is working closely with Active Leeds, Fall into Place and local communities to distribute the boxes to some of the most vulnerable families living in some of the most disadvantaged communities in Leeds.

Councillor Salma Arif, lead member for Child-Friendly Leeds said:

“The Mini Play Box Scheme is an amazing way of providing vulnerable children, young people and families with the opportunity to access some fun and creative activities during the lockdown.

“Child-Friendly Leeds’ involvement, with the help of the Play Enabling Grant, is ensuring that the young people in some of our most deprived areas can be engaged and entertained with a variety of home-based activities suitable for a variety of age groups.”

Naomi Roxby Wardle, co-director at Fall Into Place, said:

“We wanted a way to stay connected with the families who normally visit the Playbox and help bring our community together through this difficult time. The Mini Playbox Scheme has worked really well and has received lots of support from local volunteers and organisations.”

Mini play boxes include the following items:

• Games and puzzles for different ages
• Activities to do both online and offline
• Arts and crafts provisions and ideas
• Ideas for keeping active and sports to play in small spaces
• Story sacks
• Healthy recipe cards for parents and older children
• Active Leeds resources:

Ready Set Rainbow (under 8’s)
https://active.leeds.gov.uk/healthyathome/Documents/Ready%20Set%20Rainbow%20Digital%20version%20-%20May%202020.pdf

Get Active Stay Active (over 8’) 
https://active.leeds.gov.uk/healthyathome/Documents/GASA%20Digital%20version%20-%20May%202020.pdf

• 2020 Covid-19 time capsule
• Information and helplines for parents and young people
• Mental health advice for parents and young people