Playwork in Progress is a free weekly online reflective practice session chaired by Penny Wilson, of AssemblePlay and Trustee of The Playwork Foundation, and supported by Siôn Edwards, Chair of The Playwork Foundation.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82488441247?pwd=eAqAjxMMDdYCisy9sSGNhMVSuWJjuN.1
Meeting ID: 824 8844 1247
Passcode: 583901
Talking about what we do has always been a vital part of being a playworker. Ordinarily, we do this in our teams at the start and end of each day. If we are lucky, we also meet other playworkers at conferences. These conversations refresh us with new ideas and ways of working.
Discussions on social media can be nuanced and open to misinterpretation. Small reflective practice sessions, held over the past few years on Zoom, have been kindlier. We can (often) see each other’s faces and hear each other’s voices, which leaves less room for misplaced animosity misunderstanding.
Prompts and provocations are usually shared by email each week, alongside the link to the meeting.
At the moment, we typically meet on FRIDAY afternoons, 3 – 5pm. However, we recommend you check your inbox for the latest information.
General Principles
Playwork in Progress is a gentle, kind, and inclusive online space where we hope you can find information and peer guidance, support, or basic kinship. As playworkers, we hate rules – but to aid the running of these sessions, we have developed some general principles:
- This is a kind space – kind for everyone, but particularly kind to playworkers. We also recognise people have a diverse range of needs. We are patient of loss of focus, losing track of your question or response, and we understand you might get caught up in your emotions.
- We encourage people to use the “raise hand” and chat features during our virtual meetings. But, we also understand that you might wish to unmute and chip-in at will. We’ll keep an eye on all these interactions, but please don’t get offended if we mute you or ask that you allow someone else to speak first.
- We know that some people may wish to be heard but not seen. You are welcome to keep your camera off. We ask that you direct message the Facilitators of the meeting to introduce yourself, and inform them of your communication preferences – this is so we can be confident of who is in the room and to maintain the security of the meeting, as far as is practicable.
- We record our meetings. These recordings will not be used for any purpose other than to safeguard ourselves. If we wish to use any recordings – for any purpose – we will contact all participants before using them. Participants are not permitted to record meetings without prior consent of the facilitators and all other participants.
- Speak of what you’ve experienced at Playwork in Progress under the Chatham House rule – i.e., share the information you receive, but do not reveal the identity of who said it.
When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.
The Chatham House Rule
5. Safety – Suicide and self-harm: Playwork in Progress is open to everyone. Participants are free to discuss and share their authentic experiences. However, the facilitators of these meetings are not intended to provide support or facilitate discussion around suicide and/or self-harm. We must also consider the impact such discussions may have on others in attendance. If a participant discloses such emotions and feelings, meetings will be put on-hold so that appropriate interventions can be made.
Click here if you require urgent mental health support.
The Playwork Foundation 