Sarah Scott explains how the Thrive Outdoors programme, run by Inspiring Scotland, supports a variety of charities to provide play opportunities to children in low-income communities across Scotland.

At Thrive Outdoors, we believe that playing and learning outdoors is fundamental for children and young people to thrive in health, wellbeing and development. Our vision is for a sustainable Scotland where our children and young people can play, learn and thrive outdoors.  

Article 31 of the UNCRC, often referred to as the Right to Play is in fact more expansive than this. It promotes and protects the rights of children to rest and leisure, to engage in play and age-appropriate recreational activities and to participate in culture and the arts.  

Taking this to its fullest, we want all Scotland’s children and young people, from babies to adulthood, to be able to participate in all elements of the article in an outdoor environment. Thrive Outdoors believes it is our shared responsibility to support and enable all of Scotland’s children and young people to access our diverse open spaces and to empower them to enjoy local outdoor spaces for the purposes of playing, learning and fostering a connection to the environment.  

A vision for the future

In 2018 Thrive Outdoors brought together a broad group of academics and organisations from education, childcare, healthcare, environment and government to create a bold position statement which committed signatories to working together to embed playing and learning outdoors as an everyday activity and a fundamental part of growing up in Scotland.  

Published in 2020, the Position Statement drew attention to UNCRC articles 31, 28 and 3: the right of the child to rest, leisure, play and recreation, and participation in cultural life and the arts; the right to education, and the best interests of the child. It was built on the evidence that outdoor play provides benefits to children’s physical and mental health, development, social skills, and so much more!  

As of December 2024, Scotland’s National Position Statement for Outdoor Play and Learning has 238 signatories.  

Barriers to accessing outdoor play

In Scotland, children face barriers that limit their access to outdoor play including poverty, increasingly adverse weather conditions, and adults’ negative perceptions of play. For children with support needs there may be additional barriers to accessing safe outdoor play opportunities in their local community. We want to change this.  

Although children in Scotland face a range of barriers to access quality outdoor play opportunities, we are fortunate to have support from Government and third sectors to ensure that children can exercise their right to play. 

Thrive Outdoors programme

Inspiring Scotland had been working in partnership with the Scottish Government, and others, for over a decade to encourage, promote, develop and learn from outdoor play and learning opportunities across Scotland through our Thrive Outdoors programme.   

We deliver a range of programmes and funding opportunities for the third sector. We provide specialist training for practitioners, development for organisation leaders, as well as consultancy support for ambitious organisations looking to maximise opportunities for outdoor play and learning. 

The Thrive Outdoors portfolio consists of 34 funded charities across Scotland, delivering outdoor play opportunities in communities and schools to children in the most deprived areas. In addition to our funded portfolio, we work with local authorities, nurseries, and other partners to continue to improve access to outdoor play and learning for children in Scotland and ensure the outdoor play and learning sector is equipped to provide high quality opportunities.  

In 2020, Inspiring Scotland also established a wholly owned Profit-for-Purpose Outdoor Nursery organisation, Willow Den Scotland. Together with Thrive Outdoors, Willow Den aims to enable more children and families to flourish through engaging with nature-based play and learning.  

The four key thematic strands of our work are:

Through these four areas of work, Article 31 is being realised in communities. Children and young people have increased opportunities to play outdoors locally due to financial investment, and higher quality opportunities through capacity building in the sector.  

Supporting children and young people with additional support needs

Many of the organisations and charities we work with are working to provide play opportunities to children and young people who may not otherwise have access it. This could be because of financial restraints, lack of access to safe, outdoor space or because of additional support needs such as autism, ADHD or physical disability. The children and young people who have attended speak fondly of their experiences.  

The Yard Adventure Centres is one of the charities funded by Inspiring Scotland and the Thrive Outdoors Programme. Open to all children with additional support needs aged 0-18 years, along with their parents, carers and siblings, The Yard provide a safe and inclusive environment where children and young people can explore, build confidence and have fun in Edinburgh, Dundee and Kirkcaldy (Fife)

“The yard offers a unique environment for children like ours. It is safe and non-judgemental environment where families can relax and play. It is a vital community for our family and we all look forward to attending each week.”

Parent from The Yard, Dundee

The Thrive Outdoors funded portfolio aims to ensure that outdoor play sessions are child-led, allowing them to be inclusive and accessible to all children. Other organisations in our funded portfolio include The Jeely Piece Club, serving the area of Castlemilk in Glasgow’s South Side and Renfrew YMCA:  

“I love playing the games – they are all fun, and there are new ones I never knew. We show our other friends how to play them at playtime.”

Child from Jeely Piece Club, Glasgow

“I like coming here because I can run around and make cool things. It makes me feel happy.” 

Child from Renfrew YMCA, Renfrew

Supporting families

We have heard first-hand how the benefits of creating inclusive, supportive environments extends far beyond the children and young people directly participating. Speaking about the families they are supporting and working with, the team at Children First have shared how the play opportunities have created networks of support.  

“Families commented that the group was an inclusive, non-judgemental space for children and families to meet together and connect. The children were familiar and comfortable when playing with each other. Not only did it affect the children’s wellbeing, but several adults also commented that they had made friends through having the opportunity to meet other parents/guardians with children of a similar age. The connections have been long-lasting and parents have continued having these new friendships out with the group.” 

Children First, Ayrshire 

Training professionals

We also run a range of capacity building and training programmes to support professionals to deliver high quality, low-cost play opportunities in their local area. Feedback we have received from those on these courses centre around a new awareness of the benefits of effective play opportunities:  

“The training sessions and events have provided us with valuable insights, information, and practical strategies related to outdoor learning and play. We have gained a deeper understanding of the benefits of outdoor experiences for children’s development and learning. The training has equipped us with new ideas, techniques, and approaches that we can implement in our practice, leading to more impactful outdoor sessions.” 

Possibilities for Each and Every Kid, Glasgow (PEEK)

Embedding the opportunity to play for all

At Thrive Outdoors, we are committed to ensuring that every child in Scotland has the opportunity to access outdoor play and learning, regardless of their background or circumstances. Through our work with all those in our portfolio, we catalyse change by inspiring people, communities, organisations, and government to work together to enable thriving childhoods within an environmentally and socially just Scotland.  

The positive impact of the initiatives we fund is clear in the feedback from children and families across Scotland. From increased confidence and improved social skills to a deeper connection with nature, the benefits of outdoor play are transformative. However, our work is not done. We must continue to support children’s access to outdoor play to achieve our vision for a sustainable Scotland where our children and young people can play, learn and thrive outdoors. 

By working together – parents, carers, educators, and professionals – we can create a future where every child can enjoy the Right to Play. We believe in the power of outdoor play to improve the life chances of Scotland’s children. Their health and happiness are fundamental to a successful present and future.  

Sarah Scott is the Connected Communities Lead at Inspiring Scotland

Inspiring Scotland identify and solve problems on a national scale, working together with people, communities, organisations and government to drive social change. Find out more: https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/  

Visit the Thrive Outdoors website: https://thriveoutdoors.org.uk/  

Find free and low-cost outdoor play opportunities across Scotland using the Thrive Outdoors Play Directory 

Image in header supplied by Inspiring Scotland