What is Infrastructure?

Prior to the BIG Child's Play programme there were regional play associations in only a few local authority areas of Wales. Round One of the programme has seen the voluntary sector and local authorities working together across boundaries to form ten play associations.

There are now ten staffed and BIG funded play associations that cover the whole of Wales. Together they form an infrastructure.

A play network or association acts as a hub for both voluntary sector and local authority play providers; hosting a forum; agreeing local priorities; ensuring that services are co-ordinated to meet local children's needs; disseminating information and supporting grass roots play providers.  BIG only released funds when it was confident that a local infrastructure had been created to provide and pay for children's play opportunities.

Where there are no existing networks Play Wales worked with existing bodies so that they could host a partnership and eventually, a development officer.

Find out more about regional play associations

Find out more about BIG funded infrastructure projects

Find out more about running a play association