Islington Play Association

Who we are

Giving Islington's children the space and freedom to play

Islington Play Association has been fighting for children’s rights for well over 50 years. The organisation has always stayed close to its community activist roots, working closely with parents, carers and community members who want to ensure that the best possible environment is created for children and young people specifically here in this highly over crowded, over built urban area.

Play is something everyone has done and everyone can do, it is the most inclusive activity that exists from the very youngest to the very oldest humans. IPA’s approach is to empower and support young people to develop resilience and independence through assessing risks, being adventurous, trying things out and to aspire to fulfil their potential now and in the future. IPA listens and adapts our services to the individual needs of the people we work with. In this way we can support the social and personal development of young people through informal education.

Our culture and values

While Islington has a reputation as a fashionable place to live and socialise it is, in fact, the 5th poorest Borough in London. It has less open space and fewer parks for children to play in than any other London Borough and most people’s homes have no garden.

For nearly 50 years, Islington Play Association (IPA) has been working to improve children’s lives and life chances. Along with the Islington Council, the IPA recognises that play is not the same as adult leisure – play is vital for children’s health and well-being.

IPA believes that the ability of children to play is a litmus test for the quality of life for everyone.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

IPA continually strives to achieve equality of opportunity for all, throughout the delivery of our direct services and internal management practices.

IPA is committed to equality of opportunity and does not tolerate discrimination on grounds of age, race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy/maternity, ethnicity or religious belief.

IPA is committed to promoting equality and diversity and promoting a culture that actively values difference and recognises that people from different backgrounds and experiences can bring valuable insights, constructive challenge and creativity to enhance the way we work. IPA aims to be an inclusive organisation, where diversity is valued, respected and built upon, with the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves.

IPA is committed to taking positive action to fight unlawful discrimination in every respect of its work. IPA aims to help everyone involved in its services to counteract and eliminate both direct and indirect discrimination. This covers all aspects of our work including decision-making, employment practices and direct service provision.

IPA is also committed to compliance with relevant equality legislation, the Equality Act 2010, Codes of Practice and relevant best practice guidance. This policy pursues and builds on the statutory position to ensure effective policies and practice of promoting equality.