A new £500,000 philanthropic fund has been announced to support staffed adventure playgrounds in England. The fund is made possible through a personal donation from philanthropist Alex Gerko, founder of XTX Markets, whose charitable work spans education, science, and community initiatives.
The focus on staffed adventure playgrounds reflects a growing recognition of the unique role these spaces play in children’s lives.
What the fund offers
The fund provides unrestricted grants of £20,000–£50,000, alongside sustainability support for successful applicants. To be eligible, playgrounds must be:
- staffed by skilled playworkers
- free‑of‑charge
- places where children can come and go as they wish
- committed to child‑led play
Successful applicants will also take part in four one‑hour sessions designed to strengthen long‑term resilience.
The application asks for information about opening hours, attendance, land or site arrangements, reserves, and the main challenges they face.
Applications close at 12 noon on Friday 20/03/26 – full details on the Adventure Playground Fund website.
Play England announced the fund as a national programme aimed at protecting, restoring and growing staffed adventure playgrounds – highlighting that the fund will prioritise playgrounds in low-income communities and those experiencing financial pressure.
They emphasised that staffed adventure playgrounds are not discretionary amenities but distinct, staffed spaces where children shape their own play with the support of skilled playworkers. They highlighted the contribution these spaces make to independence, inclusion and year-round community connection.
At the same time, Play England noted that many adventure playgrounds have faced sustained financial pressure as local authority budgets have tightened. Provision has reduced in some areas, and several sites remain at risk.
Play England framed the fund as a welcome step within a broader picture: a contribution toward restoring and protecting staffed adventure playgrounds, and a sign that national recognition and investment may be beginning to align with long-standing sector advocacy.
“A Pivotal Week for Adventure Play…”
London Play also welcomed the national attention and investment while similarly highlighting the fragility of local provision in the English capital – in particular the recent proposals to close or downgrade several staffed playgrounds in Greenwich.
This cautious optimism is echoed in the comments sections, with some expressing appreciation for the fund whilst also stating that £500,000 wouldn’t solve the long‑term structural pressures facing the sector.
Nevertheless, the hope is that this donation – in tandem with the parliamentary attention at this week’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Play meeting on adventure playgrounds and playwork – will help build a broader recognition and attract future investment.
Any funding directed specifically toward staffed provision is a positive development, particularly at a time when many adventure playgrounds and other community-based playwork providers face uncertainty.
As ever, we will continue to support where we can by sharing information and evidence, and helping ensure that the value of staffed playwork provision – guided by the Playwork Principles – remains visible in national, inter-national and local decision-making.
This post was written by Siôn Edwards – current Chair of The Playwork Foundation – and represents his personal views and not necessarily those of The Playwork Foundation itself, or its Board of Trustees.
The Playwork Foundation 