The 4th Industrial Revolution is already proving that creativity and design-thinking will be at the heart of the 21st Century economy, with such skills to ensuring that the workers of tomorrow are able to meet the challenges of the future.

However, this comes at a time when many schools are unable to provide the environment to allow young people to learn through play, with art, design and creative subjects no longer core subjects within the English Baccalaureate. In addition, twenty percent of all children say they are too busy to play, despite the vital role that this has in personal development. Play also helps young people to make friends, solve problems, and develop critical thinking skills.

The V&A Museum of Childhood is the UK’s National Museum of Childhood and is the largest institution of its kind in the world. Its mission is to hold in trust the nation’s childhood collections and to be an international leader in engaging audiences in the material culture and experiences of childhood. In addition to its visitor galleries, the Museum undertakes an extensive programme of research and development into how young people development through play.

In October 2018, the Museum announced an ambitious programme to transform its current collections in East London and to further support creativity for local children and schools.

The APDIG will be hosting this workshop in association with the Museum and the APPG for Assistive Technology (APGAT). Together, all three organisations will work with numerous stakeholders to promote the outcomes from the roundtable and to ensure that a wide level of representation from across the design and innovation sectors, as well as to improve engagement for individuals with physical and neurological disabilities and special education needs.

The workshop will focus on three core themes:

• Innovation in design for play
• Early years and play (PEDAL)
• Play deprivation/play and poverty

The format of the event will consist of brief presentations on the areas above, followed by an informal workshop format to discuss major issues and priorities to improve policy making in these sectors. We hope to be joined by a number of Parliamentarians, with a view to raising key issues raised with relevant government Departments.

The workshop will concluding with a networking lunch, as well as an opportunity for attendees to visit the Museum’s collections, including the temporary exhibition, A Pirate’s Life for Me. 

Please email jack.tindale [at] policyconnect.org.uk (subject: RE%3A%20Designing%20for%20Play%20Workshop) (Jack Tindale) or Robert.McLaren [at] PolicyConnect.org.uk (subject: RE%3A%20Designing%20for%20Play%20Workshop) (Robert McLaren) if you are interested in attending the workshop.