How much does it cost?

We want everyone to be able to come. If you're from a well-funded organisation or can afford to pay for yourself, please choose the £50 ticket to help us cover costs. If not, please choose the free ticket, no questions asked. See below for bursary info.

Are there any bursaries to attend?

Yes. If you come from, or are in a support role for, a community facing economic disadvantage, please contact lucy@playingout.net. We have some bursary funds available and will do our best to support you with travel and accommodation costs.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes. There is level access into the building and adapted toilets on the same floor. There are induction hearing loops in all conference and meeting rooms.

Is the venue easy to get to by public transport?

Yes, it is in Bristol City Centre and easily accessible by public transport, walking and cycling. There is ample cycle parking right outside the front door!

Playing Out and beyond! Tickets, Thu, Mar 12, 2026 at 9:30 AM

Name: Playing Out and beyond!
Start: 2026-03-12T09:30:00Z
End: 2026-03-12T16:30:00Z
Location: Bristol City Council

Overview

Join us in Bristol to celebrate, share learning, look ahead and launch this amazing movement for children's freedom into the world.

Do you share our aim for ALL children to be free to play out where they live? To be healthy, happy and have a sense of belonging in their communities? Join us at Bristol City Hall for this in-person only event: a lively and inspiring day of discussion, networking and change-making!

Playing Out began 16 years ago when parents in Bristol, frustrated at the huge loss of freedom for children, decided to take action. Since then a grassroots movement has grown across the UK and beyond, bringing communities together, directly benefitting tens of thousands of children, shifting thinking and agitating for change in the halls of power.

Playing Out CIC will close its doors at the end of March, but it is by no means the end for this incredible far-reaching movement.

On 12th March, we will come together to:

celebrate the difference this movement has made so far
hear and learn from many of the people involved
think big and plan ahead for restoring children's freedom
build relationships and foster a sense of hope

We will have contributions from across the movement; community activists, parents, councils, housing providers, voluntary and campaigning organisations, policy-makers, thinkers, writers, artists, researchers, play people... This will NOT be a boring conference.

Contributors confirmed so far:

Community activists with hands-on experience of organising and supporting play streets in diverse communities across the UK

Gemma Fahy - Youth and community manager, Magic Club Blackpool

Alice Ferguson and Ingrid Skeels - Playing Out co-founders and directors

Tim Gill - International expert on children's freedom and play

Dinah Bornat - Architect leading on child-friendly housing

Simon Battisti - Urbanist transforming streets for children in Tirana, Albania

Dr Naomi Lott - Legal academic expert on children's right to play

Mat MacDonald - Road Safety Commissioner for West Midlands and founder of Safe Streets Now campaign

Dulce Pedroso - Researcher on place belonging and cycling in displaced communities

Zoe Banks Gross - Sustainability consultant, Playing Out board member and play street activator

More to follow...

There will also be plenty of opportunity for questions, discussion and networking over teas and coffees. And lunch, of course!

Ticket info

We want everyone to be able to come - this is at the heart of what Playing Out is about - so we are offering some bursaries for community activists who needs help with travel costs (see FAQs) and there are also two ticket options: Free (for anyone for whom cost would be a barrier) or £50 to help us cover costs/lunch (for organisations, academics and anyone who can afford to pay). We are a tiny organisation with very limited budget so if you can pay, it will really help us out and help others to be able to come for free.

More details will follow in the weeks to come.

For now, please sign up, book your travel and put it in your diary.

With huge thanks to Bristol City Council for co-hosting, providing a really wonderful space - and for all their pioneering support for play streets over 16 years.

Join us in Bristol to celebrate, share learning, look ahead and launch this amazing movement for children's freedom into the world.

Do you share our aim for ALL children to be free to play out where they live? To be healthy, happy and have a sense of belonging in their communities? Join us at Bristol City Hall for this in-person only event: a lively and inspiring day of discussion, networking and change-making!

Playing Out began 16 years ago when parents in Bristol, frustrated at the huge loss of freedom for children, decided to take action. Since then a grassroots movement has grown across the UK and beyond, bringing communities together, directly benefitting tens of thousands of children, shifting thinking and agitating for change in the halls of power.

Playing Out CIC will close its doors at the end of March, but it is by no means the end for this incredible far-reaching movement.

On 12th March, we will come together to:

celebrate the difference this movement has made so far
hear and learn from many of the people involved
think big and plan ahead for restoring children's freedom
build relationships and foster a sense of hope