About Us

What is a Play Association?

A Play Association is a voluntary organisation working locally to promote, support, improve and deliver children’s play opportunities in response to local need. PATH is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.  

What is play?

All children and young people need to play. The impulse to play is innate.  Play is a biological, psychological and social necessity, and is fundamental to the healthy development and well being of individuals and communities. 

What do we do?  

Training, Resources and Information

We keep the sector informed through our ever popular quarterly newsletter, email service and website. We deliver a training programme borough wide and offer play resources and equipment loan to play providers. We organise a yearly East London Play conference in partnership with Hackney Play Association, aimed specifically at local playworkers and providers.

Capacity Building

We offer capacity building support, in particular to the Children’s Community Play projects, but do extend this service to other local projects where possible. The fundraising support given has enabled play projects to gain additional funds and funding experience, which will help them with sustainability.In addition, we offer specific support to the Management Committees of play providers to help them offer better support to their play projects and staff. .

Play development

We currently offer a variety of play experiences and opportunities after school and over the weekend. We run an inclusive play session every Wednesday and a Sunday session for deaf and signing children and their families at Mile End Children’s Park. We are currently supporting local providers to extend their play services to disabled children, including bespoke training for playwork staff.Our Play in Parks project currently offers after school play opportunities and a Saturday session in Stepney Green. We have been working with schools to improve their playgrounds and provide play training for lunch-time supervisors. 

Partnership working

PATH represents both play and the voluntary sector on a number of strategic partnerships and forums. We have worked closely in partnership with the voluntary and statutory sector to develop a Play Strategy for the borough 'Play Matters in Tower Hamlets'.