Bath Area Play Project are a small voluntary organisation that was established in 1979 to support the child’s right to play and have since its inception facilitated a range of play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities. Play is every child’s right and the natural activity of children. BAPP believe that every child should be able to play safely close to their home.

Many of the services that we provide today are very similar to how we started with the child and young person at the centre of everything that we do. Not only that but we have a playful creative approach to every aspect of our work and the flexibility to be able to adapt and respond to changing needs.

Since we began, thousands of children have attended and enjoyed one of our open-access holiday playschemes, playdays and family play sessions. They have exercised their right to play and their development has been enhanced and enriched by the unique play experience BAPP offers.

Children who attend BAPP playschemes, playdays and family play sessions come because they want to:

• Have a go at something they can’t do at home or something new

• Meet with friends and have a drink and chat

• Make up games in a safe environment

• Play where they know there are adults if they need them

• Socialise with a wider group of people including adults

• Access equipment and resources they might not have at home

• Do things on a bigger or messier scale than at home or school

All our Playworkers undertake a full weeks training in play and related issues; health and safety, equal opportunities, communication including Makaton and basic sign language, practical play ideas including adapting games and activities, child protection and issues surrounding disablities. All playschemes are fully registered with OFSTED

Playschemes, Events & Support

• Community Play Provision across Bath including Southdown, Twerton, Odd Down, Foxhill and Weston.

• Closed access inclusive holiday playscheme at Twerton during Spring and Summer school holidays.

• Teenage Rampage – a weekly club for disabled teenagers aged 13 – 19 years from 7-9pm every Tuesday evening. Young people make decisions about what they do at the sessions and are supported by qualified and experienced staff

• Pre-school at The Hut runs term time only from 9am – 3pm Monday to Friday and is open to all children from 12 months to school age. Parents/carers should register children in advance.

• The TURTLE Toy Library at The Hut allows you and your child aged 0-16 to borrow toys for up to two weeks. Huge range of toys and equipment including dressing up, sports and camping equipment and karaoke machine. Open to settings who work with children in B&NES including out of school clubs, nurseries and childminders.

• Community Play Rangers work all year round in parks and open spaces across Bath after school with children aged 5 – 13 years. Open to all children and staffed by qualified playworkers.

• Closed-access Holiday playschemes available for disabled and non-disabled children aged between 5 and 12/19 years of age in most school holidays at Three Ways School working in partnership with KIDS, Fosseway School and BOP.