Awards Guidelines and How to Apply

Download the application form and guidelines here

Nancy Ovens M.B.E. believed passionately in the importance of play for our children and young people and dedicated her energy and time throughout her life to achieve acknowledgement of this.  The over arching principles of her work are encompassed in The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child:

Article 31 - the child's right to play and leisure
Article 12 - the child's right to express their views
Article 2 - the child's right to protection from all forms of discrimination

The Nancy Ovens Trust believes in the child’s right to play as a basic human right.  ‘Play’ is unstructured and free from adult direction and does not necessarily conform to any rules,¹ this could mean play that takes place away from the oversight of adults; near adults who are not involved; or near adults whose sensitive support can enrich children’s opportunities to play in their own way².

Applications are invited for the 2011 Nancy Ovens Awards for Play which recognise and celebrates contributions made by individuals, community groups, local authorities and others who provide or support access to high quality outdoor play experiences for children which make this right to play a reality.   

Award Categories:

1.  Best Play Experience
2.  Best Space for Play

When assessing Awards the Trustees will consider:

The Play Experience:

• Accessible outdoor space for children’s use, appropriate to their age or stage of development

• Conditions which allow free play to take place

• Inclusion of materials which offer possibilities for creating or changing things

• Opportunities to play with natural elements and objects eg water, sand

• Opportunities for  children to develop resilience by experiencing challenge and risk in their play

• Opportunities for social skills, such as leadership, negotiation and self-control, through interaction with other children

• Opportunities for play which contributes to children’s physical health and development

The Space for Play:

• Every play space should be designed as if unique, reflecting its geographical setting and community

• A physical environment which is recognised as a place to play and invites children to explore new and different experiences

• Space to inspire and challenge children and young people by offering both simple and complex environments in which to play

• Varied and interesting, making good use of the natural landscape and features

• Physically challenging to allow risk taking

• A place that offers the opportunity to play with natural elements  and objects eg water, sand

• Space to play alone and with others

•  A place with a sense of a "freedom to play"

• Stimulating to the senses through use of different textures and materials

• A place where adults can be seen and can see without intruding on the children’s space

Other Considerations

• Good play projects are a reflection of their community, its aspirations, needs and priorities, therefore community participation and involvement must be evidenced

• Every child, irrespective of age, gender, background, cultural or racial origin, or ability should have access to outdoor play and have the opportunity to be involved in decision making processes

• Children and/or young people should have actively participated as partners with adults in the development of the play experience or play space

• Their views and/or participation should continue in the ongoing management or development of the play experience or play space, which should be evidenced

• Every adult involved should be able to recognise their role in enhancing the play experience of the children and young people

¹ UNCRC Implementation Handbook (Hodgkin and Newell, 2007)

² IPA Global Consultations on Children’s Right to Play (International Play Association, 2010)

How to Apply:

A simple application form is required to be completed and returned by 17 June 2011.

Thereafter, further information may be requested from you if you are successful in reaching the short list stage.

The awards for 2011 will be made in Dundee on the 10 September 2011.

For an application pack, please contact:

The Nancy Ovens Trust
c/o Morton Fraser LLP, Solicitors
Quartermile Two
2 Lister Square
Edinburgh
EH3 9GL

Tel 0131 247 1078 / 0131 247 1007

For an informal chat about a proposed application, please contact Margaret Westwood: margaret.westwood@edinburgh.gov.uk   Tel: 0131 469 3382