Children across Portsmouth are enjoying fun, free and inspiring play spaces – and the staff that support them have just been recognised in a national award.
Portsmouth City Council won the ‘Professional Development Award’ at the 16th Annual Playwork Awards earlier this month.
The awards, which aim to celebrate the playwork sector and the vital role it plays in children’s lives, recognised the positive impact of the council’s adventure playgrounds and youth services on children’s wellbeing in the city.
Award organisers praised the council’s “dedication towards getting it right and making positive changes” and its role in building “truly inclusive” play services for children and young people across Portsmouth.
Notably, the awards highlighted the high standard of training, mentoring and professional development for the staff who support these spaces.
Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness, said:
“Winning this award highlights the way in which we’ve transformed the support for our playworkers in recent years.
New training, hands‑on mentoring, and clear opportunities to progress have given staff more confidence and more chances to grow, leading to a truly excellent service for Portsmouth’s children and communities.
It’s a fantastic achievement and one we can all be proud of.”
The council manages six adventure playgrounds and five youth clubs across the city, all free to access for children and young people aged 6-19 (up to 25 with SEND). Alongside support from trained playworkers, these spaces offer impressive climbing structures, a wide range of activities such as sports, music, cooking, and art, and creative projects that run throughout the year.
To find out more, please visit www.pycportsmouth.co.uk.