Wandsworth’s vision for investing in the power of play

Wandsworth’s Play Strategy responds to diminishing play opportunities in recent years since the pandemic and start of the cost-of-living crisis, and aims to boost physical and mental wellbeing, spark creativity, and make the borough the best place to grow up.

Our vision for play in Wandsworth

We have big plans to embrace the power of play in Wandsworth and a strong vision which has been shaped through feedback and engagement with families and young people. This includes:

• More places to play: A £4million investment to upgrade playgrounds across the borough with modern, inclusive, and age-appropriate equipment, ensuring everyone from toddlers to teenagers has a space that meets their needs. This is part of our borough-wide Decade of Renewal.
• Affordable fun: Free soft play sessions for under-8s at leisure centres and free access to council-owned spaces for community groups running youth activities, ensuring play is at the heart of our ambitious Access for All programme.
• Life-changing experiences: A new ‘10x10’ programme will ensure every child in Wandsworth gets to experience 10 life-enriching activities—like visiting cultural landmarks, trying new sports, or taking part in creative workshops—by the age of 10. We’ll also harness our status as London Borough of Culture in 2025 to drive forward our vision for play.
• Safer spaces: Supervised sessions for teens, better lighting in play areas, and new “play streets” to create secure spaces for young people to play outside.
• Longer play hours: Extended opening hours at family hubs and playgrounds, giving families and young people more time to enjoy their local spaces.

Cllr Kate Stock, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Play is fundamental to the healthy development and wellbeing of children and young people, and that’s why we want it at the top of everyone’s agenda.

“While we already have over 300 fantastic play spaces, including a range of award-winning parks and our brand-new Roehampton Family Hub, our ambition doesn’t stop there. This investment demonstrates our commitment to listening to residents and creating a borough where every young person can thrive.”

Earlier this year, we became the first London council to introduce baby boxes, which contain much-needed essentials for a child’s early years. Boxes contain books and toys to help young parents positively bond with their baby through play, reading, singing, and counting, with wraparound practical support from a Family Hub Connector.

We also deliver a rich and diverse mix of activities and events throughout the year in partnership with our voluntary and community sector, such as Wandsworth Connected, our Holiday Activities and Food programme, which provides local children with a wide range of fun and enriching activities alongside a hot meal, and our Short Breaks offer for children and young people with SEND.

This year we also launched our free sports, swim, and gym offer, meaning more people than ever are eligible for free leisure activities, and made 250 free tickets available to eligible families every day during lido season to our newly refurbished Tooting Lido.

The Wandsworth Play Strategy builds on this great work and is supported by the Wandsworth Moves Together Strategy which aims to ensure every child and young person can easily access play spaces close to where they live.

Learn more about Wandsworth’s Play Strategy.