ParkLeader Laura from Barrow: “It’s an amazing privilege”
My Saturday? It starts with gathering equipment, setting up the space, arranging balls and frisbees and skipping ropes. Then it’s checking in with other PlayMakers, ensuring everyone’s happy, and getting ready for our inbound ParkPlayers …
I love ParkPlay. It’s amazing to see so many people of different age groups, fitness, abilities and backgrounds being active together. Connecting with each other. It’s smiling, laughing and messing around as we look after our health and shake off two years of Covid chaos.
A bit about me
By day I’m a paediatric nurse, group exercise instructor and a run leader. I know well the value and the positives in getting families active, so being able to provide ParkPlay for free to my local community is an amazing privilege.
Around work and life, I now spend my week looking forward to and getting ready for ParkPlay: updating the Facebook group, planning sessions, organising PlayMakers and getting everyone buzzing for Saturday.
When Saturday comes …
Once the space is ready and PlayMakers are briefed, we take a ParkPlayer register via Upshot … and the fun begins.
Although each ParkPlay up and down the UK is very different, every location follows the same loose structure – Meet, Move, Play.
The meet part is a big group hello. Everyone is made to feel welcome and I’m always delighted to see families come back week after week.
Then it’s the warm-up. The move. As PlayLeader, I lead our jumping, stretching and loosening up before the games begin.
That’s the “Play” part. We may separate ParkPlayers into smaller groups or we might play together in one big game. Adults versus kids always goes down well. So does PlayMakers versus attendees.
Visit our Barrow ParkPlay page
At the end of the session we take a group photo and thank everyone for coming. Some carry on playing while others meet for a drink at a local café. We’re back to the meet part where attendees can build and nurture new friendships.
For me as PlayLeader, the session ends as it began: tidying up, checking equipment and a debriefing with PlayMakers for their take on the session. We discuss what’s working and any concerns or opportunities that arose during the day.
I collect information so I can file a report about how the morning went and what ParkPlays everywhere can learn from us. I’m so happy that Barrow ParkPlay has had incredible feedback so far.
Why ParkPlay?
ParkPlay has come at a perfect time; when people need to get out, connect, and be active. It really is free; it really is fun and it really is for everyone.
For me, the biggest reward is obvious. It’s people of all ages – who haven’t met each other – coming together to play and laugh as one. That can only be good for individuals, for families, and for the community in Barrow.
Find your local ParkPlay
Please visit our ParkPlay Parks page to find your local ParkPlay and come and join us for your ParkPlay session. We play every Saturday morning.
