Register of Play Inspectors International statement on playgrounds re-opening within England

THE Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) is delighted that the Government have said that playgrounds and outdoor gyms can open from the 4 July 2020, however they have now issued an important advice to parents and carers planning on visiting outdoor playgrounds with their children, which is that not all playgrounds in England will be re-opening following recent Government guidance that requires all playground operators to have a valid COVID-19 risk assessment before doing so.

Jon Dalton, Board Member of the RPII, said:- "Following on from the Government's announcement that playgrounds can open from the 4 July and subsequent guidance issued following this statement, if a playground owner does not have a valid COVID-19 risk assessment in place before this date they will not legally be able to open. We know that after many months of being closed, this will be hugely disappointing to many children, parents and carers, however if a playground is closed, adults and children should not attempt to use or access the equipment. The Government's COVID-19 risk assessment covers issues such as identifying the maximum number of users per playground, setting a time limit for users, limiting the number of users for a piece of playground equipment and requesting only 1 adult accompanying a child. The RPII is also aware that there are a number of smaller playground operators that are not aware that they need to adhere to the new Government guidelines and have a valid COVID-19 risk assessment prior to opening and so is calling for all playground owners to ensure they complete the risk assessment and also have an up to date playground inspection prior to opening. The RPII has provided guidance for playground operators in how to interpret the COVID-19 risk assessment and re-open safely, which will be available on the website:- PlayInspectors.Com. The RPII is expecting playgrounds to be very heavily used over the summer months due to the eagerness of the public to start using them again, so it is vital that playground owners complete the risk assessment and ensure playgrounds are thoroughly inspected to ensure a satisfactory level of safety is in place and also safely remove any hazardous temporary closure barriers prior to opening."

The RPII has provided the following guidance for families planning to visit a playground safely:-

1. If the playground facility you visit has not yet officially been opened, please do not attempt to use, or access the equipment or area. Talk to your children about the possibility that it may not be open before you visit.

2. Do not remove any temporary barriers to the playground or plastic fencing or unravel any swing seats or cables that may have been secured to put them out of use; this must be done safely by the owner or operator of the facility.

3. Follow the current social distance guidelines when visiting and encourage your children to do the same.

4. If the playground is busy, consider coming back at a later time. Talk to your children about this possibility before visiting.

5. Wash your hands and your children's hands before and after visiting. Take hand sanitiser with you and consider taking a bottle of water for if your children's hands get covered in mud. Ensure your children are using hand sanitiser frequently.

6. Look out for and pay attention to signage / instructions provided from the playground owner / operator and follow and adhere to all current Government advice in addition to the above guidance.

FACT Founder and Chief Executive Joanne Smith making doorstep food donations

IN a statement from the Founder and Chief Executive of a small charity in North East England sums up the struggle that almost all charities throughout the U.K. are facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With little or no income and their workload increasing, the effect is devastating, not only for the charities, but also causing University marginable suffering and hardship for cancer patients.

Joanne Smith, Founder and Chief Executive of FACT said that:- "FACT is delighted to be receiving a ₤20,000 grant from Walk the Walk to help us provide support to some of the most vulnerable people in the North East due to a diagnosis of cancer. Our service users, or FACT Family as we like to call them, are isolated and scared, and the current pandemic is making dealing with the impacts of cancer even more difficult than it would be in normal circumstances. Our fundraising has all but stopped and grants like this are literally a lifeline to us...... which makes them a lifeline for those we look after."

The emergency grant that Walk the Walk has now given will allow FACT to continue offering crucial support services to vulnerable people affected by cancer. These include telephone counselling sessions, helpline and befriending calls, home visits with food donations and bereavement support.

At the end of June breast cancer charity Walk the Walk announced that it would be stepping in with emergency grants, to support frontline UK cancer charities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The charity's Founder and Chief Executive Nina Barough was so concerned about the effect on the lives of cancer patients during the past 3 months, she felt Walk the Walk really had to do something to try and help.

Nina Barough CBE, Walk the Walk's Founder and Chief Executive said:- "I have been overwhelmed by the number of cancer charities who have contacted Walk the Walk regarding the emergency grants, I just wish we were able to help everyone. We really feel that by giving the 1st of these grants to FACT that it will enable them to continue to make a difference in a part of the country that really needs support during these next few difficult months. Anyone who has come into contact with Joanne from FACT cannot fail to be inspired by her incredible enthusiasm and commitment to helping people living with cancer."

FACT need money, but would also love to receive donations of food and cleaning products, to pass on to cancer patients within the University. Contact FACT on 0191 442 0833 or Info@Fact-CancerSupport.Co.UK.