Position: International Play Association correspondent and play development officer at charity The Children's Centre in the Isle of Man
What does winning the Countryfile Octavia Hill Professional Wild Hero award mean to you?
I'm very flattered. It's been great to see the recognition for the work that we do, because it goes beyond just me. It's about everyone who works at The Children's Centre. It's really nice to know that people are supporting us.
Why do you think you won the award?
I think it comes down to the face-to-face work we do at The Children's Centre. Without the service we provide, many of the children wouldn't be able to play out at all. I believe the families of the children we work with appreciate that we give them this opportunity.
Why is children's outdoor play so important?
I've seen first-hand the joy it brings to children and it's only when you see this freedom being taken away that you realise the injustice of it.
What's next for you?
We want to open the Isle of Man's first 'adventure playground', which is a plot of land where playworkers can give children the space and time to do what they want. Anyone who is interested in sponsoring it can email me at out2play@thechildrenscentre.org.im.
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