Resources

Play and health

A new UK Government took office on 11 May and is in the process of deciding its position on a number of policies and government strategies . As a result the resources listed on this page may not reflect current Government policy. All statutory guidance and legislation referred to continues to reflect the current legal position unless indicated otherwise.

Resources and further information relating to play and health.

1. 1. Active Travel and Play www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/active-travel/active-travel-and-play A factsheet that outlines the benefits of independent active play and active mobility in childhood, with clear recommendations and further sources of information.
2. 2. Be active, be healthy: a plan for getting the nation moving www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_094358 Sets out new ideas for local authorities and Primary Care Trusts to help determine and respond to the needs of their local populations, providing and encouraging more physical activity, which will benefit individuals and communities, as well as delivering overall cost savings.
3. 3. Change4life www.nhs.uk/change4life A society-wide movement that aims to prevent people from becoming overweight by encouraging them to eat more healthily and move more. The Change4Life advertising campaign began in January 2009 on TV, in the press, on billboards and online.
4. 4. Healthy Child Programme from 5 to 19 years old www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_107566 Sets out a recommended framework of progressive universal services for children and young people to promote optimal health and wellbeing.
5. 5. Healthy Lives, Brighter Futures: A strategy for children and young people’s health www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_094400 In December 2007, the government made a commitment in the Children’s Plan to publish a child health strategy jointly between the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. This joint DH/DCSF strategy presents the government’s vision for children and young people’s health and well-being.
6. 6. Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Cross-Government Strategy for England www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Obesity The government published this strategy in 2008 to support the creation of a healthy society – from early years, to schools and food, from sport and physical activity to planning, transport and the health service.
7. 7. Physical activity and the environment www.nice.org.uk/PH8 This guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) offers evidence-based recommendations on how to improve the physical environment to encourage physical activity.
8. 8. Play and Health www.ncb.org.uk/cpis/resources/factsheets.aspx Written by Issy Cole-Hamilton, Director of Policy Research and Projects of Play England, this factsheet outlines the extent to which the Government has acknowledged the value of play in children's health and describes some of the evidence to support these developments.
9. 9. Play and health: Making the links www.playengland.org.uk/Page.asp?originx_6291ba_24531416526449j45e_20082293315u A briefing for health improvement specialists, primary care teams and healthy school coordinators. It provides background on why play is crucial to children’s health and explores possibilities for joint working between the health and play sectors.
10. 10. Promoting physical activity for children and young people www.nice.org.uk/PH17 This guidance is for all those who are involved in promoting physical activity among children and young people, including parents and carers.

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