Our Generation

By the end of their journey through the Spaces to Be programme, we hope that children become Play Champions by:

• Playing more than ever
• Choosing outdoor play over screen play
• Accepting people despite perceived differences
• Promoting equality
• Regulating their own emotions
• Managing their own risks
• Making independent decisions
• Continuing to build upon their own level of resilience.

By the end of their journey through the Spaces to Be programme, we hope that the adults that surround the children become Play Champions by:

• Prioritising time for play – education is important but so is play
• Encouraging outdoor play – there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing
• Allowing children to be messy – the mess washes off but the memories and learning lasts forever
• Allowing children to be loud – more noise, more fun
• Allowing children to play freely – playing when they want to, how they want to and choosing when they want to stop
• Thinking benefit over risk – reflecting on their own childhood and the thrills and skills risk-taking offered
• Empowering our children with the time, space and permission to play.

Spaces to Be focuses on the critical role of play as a means of supporting both the development of childhood resilience, and as a mechanism for positively addressing differences at individual, familial and cross-community level.

Spaces to Be is a unique project as it recognises that learning is more effective and is more likely to be embedded into beliefs and approaches, for both children and adults, when they enjoy it. Throughout delivery of the programme, PlayBoard has successfully used play to effectively address hard hitting and complex topics with children and practitioners. This has made learning accessible to children and less intense for the participants taking part in the training.

Using a holistic approach, Spaces to Be recognises that the adults that surround our children play a significant role in supporting their mental health and resilience.

It is also integral that we have a holistic approach to addressing difference and acceptance to ensure that the key messages of the programme are consistent in all aspects of a child’s life.

It is only with this approach that we can work towards systematic change to ensure a better future for our children.

Rooted in the child’s right to play, the programme empowers children to:

• Increase mental health literacy
• Enhance emotional resilience
• Develop self-help and coping skills
• Encourage inclusivity and acceptance of difference
• Increase knowledge of community

Through the following topics:

1. ME (Mind & Emotions) – Exploring emotions, promoting positive physical and mental health, well-being and resilience through play.
2. ME and My Connections – Exploring problem solving, empathy and intrapersonal skills.
3. ME, My Connections and My Community – Supporting children to consider the multiple social groups they are part of, and how they contribute to building peaceful communities.
4. Better Together – Supporting children to consider and range of perspectives and have positive attitudes towards other communities.
5. Better Together Celebration – Celebrating the power of play and how it can promote peacebuilding on a cross-community basis.

• View the Information Pack
• Download Expression of Interest Form
• TV.OG – watch our short film to find out more!
• Visit OUR Generation website
• Visit SEUPB website

100% of participating staff said:

• Training will have a positive impact on their practice
• They will apply what has been learned in real-life work situations
• They would recommend PlayBoard training to schools and settings
• The trainers were excellent

“One of the best programmes ever implemented in school.”
Principal

“The whole-school approach has been adopted in recognition of the mental health and well-being benefits for children and the school staff.”
Teacher

“The training was really informative, interesting and really enjoyable. It was very engaging, particularly as there were practical aspects and is entirely relevant in both my personal and professional life. The training team from PlayBoard were knowledgeable, easy to approach with any questions and committed to their roles.

I believe this project should be provided to parents/carers and professionals and should be provided for young people in the age range across all schools in Northern Ireland. Would definitely recommend it.”

Key Youth Worker

“PlayBoard are to be commended for designing such a well-structured and thoughtfully developed programme that effectively addresses all Project indicators across the 3-Tiers.

This collaborative and evidence-informed approach has ensured that the programme is both responsive and developmentally appropriate, creating a strong foundation for future cohorts.”

Ulster University

“The strategies to help children to support emotional regulation and well-being are welcomed.”

“Play is not just for foundation stage.”

“Before the programme, I would have shut the play down immediately.”

“The school’s timetable has been organised in a way to allow all the classes have access to outside/free play hour.”

“I think that it’s great that you are working with children in Derry, offering them opportunities to mix with others in different communities. These are things that I never had the chance to do as a child, in fact I was told I wasn’t allowed to play with children from the Fountain area.”

“I can’t wait to take the pack home and learn more about the theory behind play and just why it is so crucial for our children”.

“Play isn’t just good for my baby it’s good for me too”.

 Parents, webinar

“I wish it was longer, I love playing.”

“We learnt how to cope with emotions through our helping hand.”

“If we all stick together, there are less opportunities to use our skills to meet new people.”

“You know, when all this is done and we leave this school, this is one of the things I’m really going to remember.”

“Can you please come back next year?”

Bookings for the 2026-2027 school year are now open!

Download our Expression of Interest Form or if you would like further information on the project, email ourgeneration@playboard.co.uk