June 2009 e-bulletin

This month Play Resource is packed with ideas, inspiration and activities to support your work with groups of children and young people over the summer! Book one of the last few remaining places on our Arts Training Workshops, or visit the Shop to see the expanded range of Sports & Games listed in the Seasonal Shop Price List, or take advantage of our range of Hire Equipment available to support your activities over the summer.

Plus as two new exhibitions are unveiled this month; the Teenage Project bursts onto the scene, and Our Day at the Seaside makes a splash, there are certainly plenty of ideas to inspire work with your groups!

Please note: Closing Date for Bank Holiday on Monday 25 May 2009

Art & Play Shop

With summer well on the way it is time for outdoor play….so our expanded Sports & Games range is your first stop! See the Seasonal Price List for the full range of sports and games on offer, plus don’t forget about our range of Hire Equipment available including Parachutes and Badge Machines.

Or why not invest in your own parachute and play some of these Parachute Games. Or create a giant snakes and ladders board game from scrap materials, and buy a giant foam dice and off you go! Plus we have everything you need for all the traditional sports day fun and games that teach co-ordination like hoola hoops, balls, bats, Hessian sacks, skipping ropes and bean bags for juggling offering hours of fun and activity for your groups…!

Or if you are planning your summer shopping lists just download the new Shop Price List for the full listing of all products available. The format has been simplified to make it even easier to plan your shopping lists and estimate costs to fit your budget.

Take note if you have not visited us in the last 3 months you will be in for a surprise since the new Shop Refit has improved the space, layout, signage and displays, so take the time to browse the selection of Quick Ideas and samples on offer throughout the Shop next time you are in!

Scrap Store

Just in
What great variety this month including….

• Furniture – including roller cupboards, drawers, desks & chairs
• Carpet Mats – various sizes, patterns and colours. Ideal for creating a reading corner!
• Seatbelts – on a giant roll
• Clear plastic sheeting - folds
• Sample books – fabric and wallpaper
• Foamex board – white, in various different sizes, large & small
• Linen – on the roll, but in limited supply to better get it quick!

Plus all the usual scrap favourites! See the full Scrap Store Materials List for all that’s on offer. Why not collect scrap materials and create a giant Snakes & Ladders game for summer fun??!!

If there is something in particular you are looking for but can’t see it – just ask one of the Warehouse Team who are happy to help!

Creative Paths Arts Programme

Get set for a summer of arts…the Arts Training Workshops are back by popular demand. Join our exciting programme of workshops suitable for outdoor and indoor creative play, book now to secure a place!

Spaces left on the following Arts Training Workshops:
Tuesday 2 June
Quick Things to Do, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Friday 5 June
Creative Activities for Outdoor Play, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Thursday 11 June
Face Painting, 9.30am – 12.30pm.

Each workshop costs £20 and can be booked individually by calling 028 9035 7545. For further details see the Workshop Booking Form. Last chance to book!

The Craft Sheet Library includes new colour step-by-step Craft Sheets, like Creating Mosaics. If you are eager for more ideas for working with groups using scrap materials start collecting these craft sheets or visit the website Publications for more ideas!

Membership News

New display in the Ideas Gallery makes a splash with ‘Our day at the Seaside’ complete with a modest mermaid!  If you are looking to inspire the imagination of children and young people this summer, why not explore this theme with them? Just see what learning it leads to… think of all the possibilities that could spring from the idea of holidays, visiting new places, the seaside, beaches, or rock pools, shore lines, tidal zones and the underwater all teaming with sea life…! Be a beachcomber; take a look and collect ideas from our display and use them for your own. Plus see what Rosie (aged 5) has created for us: a storybook and a puppet show from scrap, in response to her imaginary Day at the Seaside!

The latest exhibition to be showcased at Play Resource this month is the culmination of artwork created by teenagers with clear messages to other teens. The Creative Paths ‘Teenage Project’ was run over a 6-month period. It gave groups of teenagers from North and West Belfast the chance to explore issues that were important to them. Using art to express concerns affecting their lives, with the support of their peers and Quaker Cottage youth service, their messages are loud and clear! In their own words…..“Get rid of your fears – don’t be pressured by your peers” .

The end result is this exciting and vibrant collection of posters and printed t-shirts created by the teenagers to express the impact of bullying, drug abuse, anorexia and peer pressure on their lives, in the hope their messages can help other teens by sharing their own experiences.  Come and visit the showcase exhibition of the jointly run Teenage Project by Play Resource in Partnership with Quaker Service, thanks to funding from YCNI. Visit Quaker Cottage for more information about the valuable services run by them for young people and families in Northern Ireland.

Please note: Closing Date for Bank Holiday on Monday 25 May 2009.

Member to Member News

The Beat is inviting groups to join the Belfast City Carnival and create a lively, colourful, carnival parade on Saturday 27 June. This year’s summer carnival theme has taken inspiration from the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. As part of the Beat programme groups can register for two x 2 hour carnival arts workshops. Get in touch with the Beat team to discuss your ideas for participation in more detail. Contact beat@belfastcarnival.com or call 028 9043 4767 for further information about the workshops, or simply find out how you can join in the carnival fun!

Come and meet the Arts & Disability Forum team at their free events at various locations and dates across Northern Ireland from 2-23 June. Take this opportunity to access information about the Arts & Disability Awards scheme, plus news on gallery and exhibition opportunities and the Arts & Disability Charter. To find out more visit www.adf.ie or contact Gillian or simply call 9023 9450.

Feedback Forum

We would like to hear from you each month, to help us improve the services we offer to our members. Question of the Month:

Do you have any Craft Sheet requests? Topics, themes, or materials you would like to see demonstrated in a colour step-by-step craft sheet.

Respond via email to fiona@playresource.org. We look forward to hearing from you!