Play happens wherever children are, at home, in their neighbourhood and in their community. But not all children and young people growing up today have the same chances in life. For many children, their local environment offers great opportunities for play, recreation and hanging out with friends, supporting their hopes for a great future. For others, their experience is all too often one of play deprivation, poverty, inequality, environmental hazards and even conflict.
The responsibility to make things better lies with civic leadership, our government, local authorities and civil society, indeed all of us working together to lay the necessary foundations for cities, towns and communities, to fulfil the rights and needs of our youngest citizens.
This year our conference focuses on play as a key building block of childhood. Our keynote speakers and workshop facilitators will engage policy makers and resource providers, local leaders and civil society, offering all an opportunity to join hands and collectively develop strategies to make our cities, towns and local communities better places for children and young people to learn, grow and play.
Only by making the communities where children live places where they feel safe, secure and nurtured will they be able to flourish. Attending this conference you may be able to play your role in ensuring a brighter, playful future for every child in Northern Ireland.
Play happens wherever children are, at home, in their neighbourhood and in their community. But not all children and young people growing up today have the same chances in life. For many children, their local environment offers great opportunities for play, recreation and hanging out with friends, supporting their hopes for a great future. For others, their experience is all too often one of play deprivation, poverty, inequality, environmental hazards and even conflict.
The responsibility to make things better lies with civic leadership, our government, local authorities and civil society, indeed all of us working together to lay the necessary foundations for cities, towns and communities, to fulfil the rights and needs of our youngest citizens.
This year our conference focuses on play as a key building block of childhood. Our keynote speakers and workshop facilitators will engage policy makers and resource providers, local leaders and civil society, offering all an opportunity to join hands and collectively develop strategies to make our cities, towns and local communities better places for children and young people to learn, grow and play.
Only by making the communities where children live places where they feel safe, secure and nurtured will they be able to flourish. Attending this conference you may be able to play your role in ensuring a brighter, playful future for every child in Northern Ireland.
Book your tickets online today with
Book your tickets online today with
Sign up for FREE PlayBoard membership today to take advantage of our membership discount.
Sign up for FREE PlayBoard membership today to take advantage of our membership discount.
If you wish to be invoiced, please download our conference booking form.
If you wish to be invoiced, please download our conference booking form.
Jacqueline O’Loughlin
PlayBoard NI – Chief Executive
As the CEO of PlayBoard NI since 2005, Jacqueline is responsible for running all facets of the organisation. Working predominately in the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland Jacqueline has held a number of senior management positions over the past 20 years. Prior to joining PlayBoard Jacqueline worked within education in both formal and informal structures.
Alan Herron
PlayBoard NI – Director of Service Delivery and Development
Appointed PlayBoard’s Director of Service Delivery and Development in October 2009, Alan is responsible for overseeing a range of services including political advocacy and lobbying; training delivery; research and programme evaluation and the development and delivery of school and community based play programmes.
Derek Baker
Department Education – Permanent Secretary
Mr Derek Baker was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Department of Education on 27 February 2017. Mr Baker has 36 years experience in the Northern Ireland Civil Service. He has held senior positions in a number of departments including the Department of Health, the Department for Social Development, the Department of Finance and Personnel and Department of Education.
Helen Dodd
University of Reading – Professor of Child Psychology
Helen Dodd is a Professor of Child Psychology at the University of Reading and a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow. Her research focuses on the development of anxiety disorders in children, with a particular focus on understanding factors that underpin risk for anxiety in preschool and primary school aged children.
Stella O’Malley
Psychotherapist, Best-selling Author & Public Speaker
Stella O’Malley is a psychotherapist, best-selling author, and public speaker. Much of Stella’s work focuses on mental health and the importance of well-being and she is a regular contributor to the national media.
Felicitas zu Dohna
Arup – Senior Consultant
Felicitas is a Foresight and Research Analyst in Arup’s Foresight, Research and Innovation team. Her role includes the planning and delivery of workshops and events, both for Arup and external organisations, as well as research and analysis of the major challenges and trends affecting the built environment, society, and culture.
Joanna Brown
Implementation Manager for Education – Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland
Joanna Brown is an Implementation Manager for Education with the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI). Her role is to ensure that the Education Sector is supported in developing a trauma informed approach through recognition of Adverse Childhood Experiences, building strengths based approach.
Grainia Long
Belfast City Council – Commissioner for Resilience
Grainia Long is Commissioner for Resilience for the city of Belfast, based in Belfast City Council. Her role was created following Belfast’s membership of the global 100 Resilient Cities network, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation.
117 Milltown Rd
Shaws Bridge
Belfast, BT8 7XP
A refined modern hotel near central Belfast, with stylish dining, complimentary WiFi and an indoor pool.
Crowne Plaza® Belfast hotel places you in a parkland setting near the River Lagan. A 15-minute drive takes you to the city centre, where Belfast Central station offers local and regional train services. The hotel has free parking and the M1 motorway is a 10-minute drive away. Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport are both less than half an hour’s drive from the hotel.
The hotel boasts luxurious bedrooms, as well as extensive dining options including The Green Room Restaurant providing locally sourced produce and a fine wine list, the Spice Club has a new menu offering classic Indian dishes and modern fusion Indian cuisine and The River Bar and Lounge provides the perfect setting for stylish and casual dining.
Book your tickets online today with
Book your tickets online today with