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Play Worcester were amongst winners of the first-ever National Play Awards announced at a night of celebration at University of Warwick, showcasing the outstanding achievements of the sector. 

The Awards are rooted in Play England’s 10-year strategy – It All Starts with Play! and celebrate the people, places, practice and progress helping to create the conditions children need to play.

Awards were presented across Spaces, Skills, Sector and Society, alongside two Play Personality of the Year awards recognising the outstanding contribution of children and adults to play.

From 140 nominations across the six categories, an independent judging padel chose 17 finalists, from which the six winners were announced. 

The winners were:

Spaces Award (Sponsored by Sutcliffe Play):
Stockton Waterfront Park

Skills Award (Sponsored by Play Their Way, UK Coaching):
Deaf Active

Sector Award (Sponsored by API):
SoHPS and Starlight

Society Award (Sponsored by Play Innovation):
Play Worcester | Worcester City Council

Children’s Play Personality Award (Sponsored by Play Nation):
Play Gloucestershire’s Young Volunteers

Play Personality Award (Sponsored by Play Nation):
Angela Fell

Nominations came from across the play ecosystem, including children and young people, charities and community organisations, local authorities, schools, health services, researchers, designers, planners, funders and businesses. 

Play Worcester’s nomination and subsequent win focused on the ‘no to no ball games signs’ campaign and their play street project, encouraging families to play out in their community. 

Nicola Stobbs, chair of Play Worcester 

“It is an honour to receive national recognition for the work we are doing here in Worcester. To have been finalists was exciting enough but to win our category has surpassed all expectations! It’s a great boost for all our trustees, volunteers and supporters, and the city of Worcester”