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Minister joins South Lanarkshire kids for Active Play session

Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People, joined children from Rigside in South Lanarkshire for an Active Play session on Friday 4 March to celebrate the success of the national initiative in the area.

Ms. Campbell met pupils and teachers from Rigside Nursery and Rigside Primary School who have been taking part in an Active Play programme run by local charity Healthy Valleys.

The Clydesdale MSP presented pupils and teachers with certificates recognising their achievements and then joined the children for an play session at the school.

The Active Play programme is part of the Go2Play fund, a partnership between Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland, which focuses on expanding successful play projects across Scotland.

Levels of physical activity among young people in Scotland are low with fewer than 1 in 5 meeting government guidelines for minimum physical activity and nearly a third of six-year-old children spending three or more hours’ screen time each week day. Low levels of physical activity in childhood lead to lower levels of physical literacy, the development of fundamental movement skills, and the ability to be physically active in later life.

Active Play is aimed at tackling high levels of physical inactivity and rising childhood obesity in Scotland through play. The programme aims to develop fundamental movement skills in young children, increase levels of physical activity, help children to progress into more active forms of play such as sport, and increase awareness of play as a means to improve physical literacy.

The fund is being delivered by Inspiring Scotland, Scotland’s leading venture philanthropy charity, in partnership with the Scottish Government and provides participating projects with financial and development support to increase play opportunities for children.

The Healthy Valleys’ Active Play programme is one of 19 current investments across Scotland which benefit from the Go2Play fund.

Ms. Campbell said: “Increasing the health and well-being of Scotland’s young people is a priority of the Scottish Government and ensuring children’s access to play is a vital part of that.

“The Go2Play Active Play programme introduces children in some of Scotland’s most deprived areas to the benefits of play which can have a huge effect on their future well-being.”

Celia Tennant, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland, said: “The principles of the Active Play programme are simple but the outcomes at stake for Scotland’s young people are critical and Inspiring Scotland is proud to be delivering this initiative in partnership with the Scottish Government.

“By taking part in free play sessions and learning about the importance of physical movement, and how fun it can be to be active, children can work towards a better future for themselves.”

Lesley McCranor, Executive Manager of Healthy Valleys, said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for Healthy Valleys to be part of this important national initiative.  The Active Play Rangers are enthusiastic and creative with the space they have to work in and in turn the children are bursting with energy and having lots of fun playing outdoors, no matter what the Scottish weather brings.”