The Play Rangers Project was developed based on evidence of need for residents in deprived wards in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in 2015, that included the results of end of project evaluation of Play Rangers Project, feedback from site visits, consultation with local residents, and service providers. The information gathered revealed that most children aged under 11 years were not taking part in the recommended 3 hour per week of physical activity, putting them at risk of poor health and wellbeing. There was lack of free local and convenient play provision suited for children aged 8 to 11 years. Most of these children come from poor households, and could not afford to pay for play and fun activities or the luxury of using vital play materials and resources.
Based on this evidence Youth League was funded by the Big Lottery for 4 years to provide play rangers services targeting children and young people aged 8 to 11 years with a focus to those resident in deprived wards, namely Chadwell health, River, Eastbury and Goresbrook in Barking and Dagenham. The projects provide supervised free and safe play to children and young people of all backgrounds largely at parks, greens and open public .The project is led by a team of outreach play workers, assisted by trained local volunteers in activities such as: football, hide& seek, soft archery, basketball, soft play, netball, cycling, face painting and other play activities.
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