Our Place and Space Project

Our aim is to empower people to become advocates for the transformation of the spaces in which they live and to increase children’s access to play in their communities. We work alongside communities in Fife to help identify and achieve the aspirations of local people and families.

The challenges that communities face are diverse and unique - working in partnership to find sustainable solutions to these evolving circumstances.

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‘Our Place and Space’ project is managed by Smart Play Network and funded for two years by the Scottish Governments Empowering Communities Programme; Investing in Communities Fund (ICF). The project runs from 1st April 2020 - 31st March 2022.

 

We work with children, parents/carers, volunteers and practitioners in a community for a period of up to six months; returning in the final year to provide follow up support if required.

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Some of the activities that are available include:

  • Community play sessions and events to showcase low cost play ideas and share skills

  • Support to form local steering groups

  • Consultation and engagement activities with the local and wider community

  • Identifying and facilitating appropriate learning opportunities

  • Support for volunteers; mentoring, job shadowing, workshops

  • Practical support and advice to develop and transform outdoor play & community spaces

  • Support with money saving initiatives and resources for families

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Benefits of OPAS:

  • Stronger community relationships; more inclusive, connected and empowered communities

  • Improved economic prospects; increased skills, confidence, realised potential and motivation to further develop skills

  • Improved health and well-being; increased access to outdoor spaces and physical activity

  • Decreased financial pressure on families to provide expensive resources or high cost activities

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Groups We've Worked With

Gallatown Garden & Community Centre

This outdoor area for play, growing and socialising is located beside the bike pump track at Gallatown Park in Kirkcaldy. Here we supported staff and volunteers from YMCA Kirkcaldy to develop the outdoor space using repurposed materials. 

Buckhaven Primary School and The Globe Orchard

The Orchard is managed by C.L.E.A.R (Community-led Environmental Action for Regeneration) who oversee community green spaces in the area of Buckhaven and Methil. Here we supported pupils from Buckhaven primary school to access the space for outdoor play and learning where they contributed to the design of a wild life area.

Benarty Community Centre

The Centre offers activities for all ages including sport, leisure, arts, adult learning, youth provision, child care and interest groups. Here we worked with Benarty Youth Work, Kids Come First and members of the community to develop outdoor play and wildlife habitats in the grounds surrounding the community centre.

Nourish

A registered charity based in Kirkcaldy who provide support for families who have additional support needs. They run several groups throughout the week for families, adults and fathers. We supported the group with outdoor family play picnics and online videos and play ideas. 

MEET THE OPAS TEAM

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SHARON SMITH

Play Development Lead

Sharon loves using recycled materials to transform outdoor play spaces and in her spare time she enjoys gardening, snow sports and cycling.