Newlife’s Community Play Service, Play For All, is launching in 2026.
Find out more and register your interest below.
Play is a fundamental part of childhood, yet many grassroots charities supporting children face significant barriers to providing high-quality, inclusive play experiences.
Newlife’s Community Play Pilot launched in March 2025, made possible by the generous support of the Dorothy Pamela Smith CIO, and was designed to address this challenge, providing not just toys, but the knowledge and confidence to unlock their full potential.
Reaching more children, expanding opportunities
Across ten grassroots settings, the pilot created opportunities for over 4,000 children to access sensory-rich, engaging, and inclusive play. Many children came from low-income families and communities facing social and economic challenges.
Before the pilot, settings reported that only 39% of toys met children’s needs. Following the pilot, 70–100% of toys now cater to diverse needs, allowing children of all abilities – including those with complex disabilities, sensory impairments, and neurodiversity – to engage fully.
A core part of the pilot was specialist training delivered to staff and volunteers, with 66 team members benefiting from practical guidance and support. Across all settings:
- Understanding of the educational purpose of toys increased by 47% on average.
- Confidence in using toys in sessions rose by 44%.
- Knowledge of cause-and-effect within play increased by 44%.
Download the Community Play Pilot report here.
And now, thanks to further funding from Dorothy Pamela Smith we are delighted to announce that Newlife’s Community Play service – Play For All – will be launching in 2026, starting by supporting grass-root organisations in the East and West Midlands.
Register your interest…
If you are part of a grass-roots setting or community group supporting children (up to age of 16) with disabilities which would benefit from Play For All and are based in the East or West Midlands (further locations to be announced shortly) please fill in the form below to register your interest! Or email us at play@newlifecharity.co.uk
When we invest in play:
“Seeing the joy, curiosity, and confidence in the children we’ve reached through the Community Play Pilot has been truly inspiring. For thousands of children, these toys and sensory resources have opened doors to exploration, connection, and learning that simply weren’t possible before. Families have shared moments of calm and happiness, staff and volunteers have gained new confidence, and grassroots settings now have the tools to make every child feel included. This pilot proves that when we invest in play, we don’t just give children toys, we give them a chance to thrive.“
Becky Smith, Newlife’s Head of Charitable Services
