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New Short Breaks Opening in Mansfield
The Power of Play - The Creation of Play My Way
01 May 2025
Play isn’t “just fun” (it should always be fun!) but fundamentally, it’s how children explore the world, build relationships, develop confidence, learn to regulate their emotions, practice their communication and make sense of everything and everyone around them.
And for too many children (especially those with special educational needs and disabilities), play is the thing they miss out on most.
That’s not "a sad story". That’s a public health crisis. And it's destroying lives.
Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNRC) says every child has the right to play, rest, leisure and participation in cultural life and the arts. Play is a human right.
What happens when children don’t get to play?
When play is absent, so is:
Freedom
Creativity
Growth
Healing
And children may:
Withdraw socially
Struggle emotionally
Experience delays in communication, imagination and empathy
Miss vital chances to build resilience and problem-solving skills
Feel left out of the world around them (because they are!)
And for children who are already navigating a world not built with them in mind, that’s a double exclusion.
What do we do about it?
This is an emergency and it needs dealing with. It's the whole reason why we exist. We officially incorporated as a business on the 29th April 2025 and our purpose is to create safe, inclusive, fun-filled places where children can play freely, safely and on their own terms. Specifically designed, planned and delivered to support children's individual needs - whatever they may be. We get to know families intimately so that we can design our support around the individual child.
Our background is supporting children, predominantly those with special educational needs and disabilities, in schools and in wider children's services settings. With experience across play-based settings, we're bringing the power of play and high-quality, group-based short breaks provision to the East Midlands!
Our play schemes will offer:
High staffing ratios so every child is supported to join in, be themselves and have fun
A variety of play experiences, from messy play to music, sensory zones to sports
A low-pressure, high-connection approach that meets children where they are - not forcing them to be any particular way
A relational practice model built on trust, belonging and connection
And most importantly, freedom - the freedom to choose, to laugh, to be loud, to be quiet and to just be a child!
We call the company "Play My Way" because there’s no one-size-fits-all blanket approach here. We're proud to say that we're as child-centred as a service can be! Some children love paint. Some would rather make some puzzles. Some just want peace and a good beanbag. Others will be jumping into our outdoor activities.
We'll do it all. If there's a want, we'll make it happen!
We take a positive approach to risk.
While we undertake risk assessments and have good practices and procedures in place to manage risk, we'll always do a Risk Benefit Analysis and encourage positive risk taking, where it's safe to do so.
No one should be indoors, strapped to a wheelchair when they want to and can play outside with everyone else. We'll make sure we have a Moving Plan in place, agreed with the relevant professionals and parents/carers, we'll have the equipment in place and our staff will be eager to make it happen. We will remove all the barriers we can so that every child in our care is free to play, have fun, express themselves and smile.
Children who may display behaviours of concern - we'll listen to what that's communicating - we'll create an environment around them that meets their needs (physical, sensory, emotional, whatever they may be).
If children have medical needs, we partner with the right Healthcare Professionals and we'll always be in communication with the healthcare teams who support any individual child to make sure we have the training and information needed.
Why does this matter to commissioners? (Parents and carers, feel free to skip this paragraph)
Quite simply, because:
Investment in inclusive play reduces the long-term pressure on families, services and even your own systems.
Social isolation is a risk factor for social, emotional and mental health difficulties - we’re proactive and intervening early.
Children who feel safe, seen and included are more likely to thrive at home, in school and in their life.
Our short breaks prioritise genuine play and connection, that act as a protective factor. And for so many families, we know that this support can make such a difference to their lives.
That's why we're bringing it to families and it is going to be wonderful!
Play isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential.
We’re here to make sure every child has a space where they belong and every family has the support they deserve.
We know that when children are free to play, they’re free to grow. And when we honour that right... Everyone wins.
Children, we look forward to seeing you once we open!
Parents and carers, we look forward to hearing from you soon!
Professionals and commissioners, we really should reach out. We'll show you the difference we can make. (You can also read more about our Corporate Social Responsibility here)
Anna & Marcus
P.S. The Yellow Elephant
If you’ve got this far, you might be wondering, why a yellow elephant? It's our mascot and will be following us around, wherever we go.
Baby elephants are curious, playful and full of wonder. They need space to roam, mud to splash in and a herd that protects, nurtures and helps them to feel safe in the world. Without that? They fall behind and get lost.
That baby elephant is every child we’re here for. Especially those who’ve been boxed in, left out or misunderstood by the system. They don’t need fixing - they need freedom, support and space to play their way.
Yellow is bright, bold and joyful. It’s the colour of sunshine, happiness and hope.
And when an elephant is yellow, you notice it. Just like the children we support, who should be seen, celebrated and included, never excluded or hidden away.
The Yellow Elephant is our reminder every day, to:
Be brave.
Be joyful.
Stand out.
And to always fight for a world where every child has the right and the opportunity to play their way!
Please notice: We will never use the term "respite". Staff members found to be using this term may be subject to our disciplinary policy. We will refuse to work with any organisation that actively uses this term, except where we are legally obliged to (for example, a Local Authority). In those cases, we will continue to use the complaints procedures available to us. If you have any questions about this policy, please first Google the term.
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