Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

Name of Fund: Go Play

Brief description of fund

The aim of the £4 million Go Play programme is to help the play sector in Scotland to grow and offer increased opportunities for free play to children aged five to 13 years. It is a two year programme, fully funded by the Scottish Government. The fund is being managed by Inspiring Scotland.

Free play is activity which children and young people choose to do themselves, where the children themselves decide the rules and what they are doing, and where the play is undertaken for its own sake (e.g. there are no rewards or certificates).

What activities does it fund?

Examples of the types of things they might be able to offer support for are:

• Additional staff to help the organisation run effectively.
• Staff training and development.
• Expanding existing play activities.
• Helping organisations respond better to local needs.
• Basic equipment for running the organisation e.g. IT equipment.
• Equipment for new play activities.

What they won’t fund:

• Organisations which are run on a commercial basis.
• Standard playground equipment which is not part of a broader play initiative.
• Organisations whose primary activities are sport-led or based around the use of existing playing fields.

Examples of projects that have received funding

None so far, as the fund is new. But Inspiring Scotland say they expect to receive applications from organisations ranging from adventure play associations and out of school clubs with a significant amount of free play to national charities who provide free play as well as many other activities and services.

How much funding is available to applicants?

There is no limit on the amount that organisations can apply for, but Inspire Scotland, who are managing the fund, will need to be certain that an organisation can use the money effectively before they invest.

Who can apply?

To apply you must:

 As well as regional and national organisations which provide the infrastructure for the play sector in Scotland Inspire Scotland are also focusing their investments on organisations which deliver play in a creative or innovative manner throughout Scotland. They are also focussing on organisations delivering free play opportunities in the following Local Authorities where children and young people are most likely to be at risk of missing out on the benefits of free play:

• Dumfries and Galloway
• Dundee City
• East Ayrshire
• Glasgow City
• Highland
• North Ayrshire
• North Lanarkshire
• West Dunbartonshire

Is there a deadline?

They need to receive the completed application form by 5 pm on 6th November. Investments will be phased over the next two years.

Where can I find out more?

You can find out more on the Go Play section of the Inspiring Scotland website.

Who do I contact?

You can phone on 0131 442 8763 or email enquiries@inspiringscotland.org.uk giving your name, the organisation you work for and your contact details, and someone will call you back.