Three charities have joined forces to create Free to Play - which aims to help groups create vital spaces for children

A new guide to help local community groups to develop or improve their public play space has been launched this week.

Free to Play aims to ensure that all children and young people, including those with additional support needs, can exercise their right to play in their local communities.

The guide has been produced by Play Scotland, Inspiring Scotland and the Nancy Ovens Trust in support of the play strategy for Scotland.

The three charities have stressed the importance of a child’s right to play and the huge benefits of having accessible outdoor play space.

The guide has been written by Theresa Casey and Harry Harbottle - who are experts on play, children’s rights and inclusive play spaces.

It was launched by childcare minister Maree Todd, MSP, who said the guide will help organisations working with children to make inspired choices in creating new play spaces.

She said: “We want Scotland to be the best place to grow up, a nation which values play as a life-enhancing daily experience for all our children and young people. Accessible and inclusive play spaces help to ensure that all our children and young people, including those with additional support needs, can exercise their right to play.”

The guide is aimed at any group that has come together to develop or improve a public play space. These groups may be friends of parks, community councils, community planning partnerships or groups of local parents, carers, professionals and youngsters who have identified a gap or recognised the need for improved space to play.

Marguerite Hunter Blair, chief executive of the national play organisation Play Scotland, said: “This is a wonderful resource that helps deliver the Play Strategy vision of valuing play as a life enhancing daily experience for all our children and young people in Scotland”.