Minister for Children, young people and keeping the Promise, Natalie Don visited Kirlandneuk Community Centre this week to celebrate the extension of the Outdoor Community Play, which will enable 14,000 children and families across Scotland to access outdoor community play on their doorstep.
Funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Inspiring Scotland, the extension will see a further £550,000 invested into 32 charities who will deliver 5,000 outdoor community child-led play sessions.
As well as the physical health benefits, play can also help to improve attachments, mental wellbeing, strengthen bonds and improve parental confidence. Outdoor Community Play sessions can take place in community spaces such as parks, nature spaces, playgrounds, and woodlands.
Children’s Minister Natalia Don said,
“Outdoor play has a significantly positive impact on our children’s mental health, wellbeing and confidence. It can teach them how to solve problems, assess risks, boost their physical activity and provide opportunities to meet and interact with others.
“However, options for children to play outdoors are sometimes limited, especially for children in deprived areas. The current cost of living crisis makes it even more essential that we continue our support through funds like this to ensure there are outdoor play options available, free of charge, for families across Scotland.
“I have no doubt that this fund will help grow outdoor community play projects and will continue to have a significant impact on thousands of families.”
Julia Abel, director of funds at Inspiring Scotland said,
“All children have the right to play. Not only is it vital for children’s mental health and wellbeing, but it also boosts physical activity and physical literacy skills, alongside supporting children to learn essential social and emotional skills.
“We want to make outdoor play accessible for all children in Scotland. Last year, the programme expanded to include more sessions for children and families with additional support needs. The beauty of outdoor community play is that it’s child-led, enabling children to use their creativity and imagination to develop their own ways to have fun, overcome barriers, while teaching life-enhancing skills that will make positive effects all the way into adulthood.”
Find out more at inspiringscotland.org.uk/what-we-do/our-funds/thrive-outdoors
Scotland’s landscapes and biodiversity are getting a boost, thanks to the efforts of local communities leading the charge in ecosystem restoration with funding from the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund. The second round of the fund has awarded £200,000 to 16 ambitious community-led projects that will breathe new life into local environments across Scotland. The Fund is
Read More
Applications are now open for the next funding phase from April 2026 to end of March 2029, which will provide up to £26 million from April 2026 to end of March 2029. Organisations can apply for between £150,000 and £1,500,000 in CashBack for Communities funding. The programme will strengthen communities across Scotland by supporting young people
Read More
Every baby deserves to feel safe, loved, and supported. To mark Infant Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re shining a light on the vital work being done across Scotland to make that a reality. This year’s theme, “Who is holding the baby?”, highlights the importance of nurturing relationships and the need for services to support families
Read More