Common Threads International
Common Threads works to promote the importance of play outside the UK in lots of
different ways - depending on how and where we are asked and invited!
We support the work of the International Council for Children's Play. Shelly is a
board member and we also host, develop, maintain (and finance!) the ICCP
website. We are involved in the organisation of the next ICCP World Play
Conference - for more information click here.
We have developed and delivered the International Certificate in Playwork Skills - a three day
introductory course for anybody who works with children who wants
to use playwork methods in their wider job role. This course is either available for direct delivery or
through our T2T programme - if you would like to know more please contact us.
We support the Nicaraguan Children's Right to Play campaign with cash donations,
a regular article in Playwords and updates on our website. We would encourage
others to add their support to this fantastic grass roots organisation too - for
more information click here.
Our work in play in schools was featured in the Canadian documentary,
'Lost Adventures of Childhood'
and we are in contact with several schools in Canada
with a view to delivering our playwork courses for schools, Playtime! and
Playtime! Practicals in the near future.
We are working in partnership with the Hong Kong Play Association, Playright, to
establish and develop a system of playwork training which is locally
appropriate. The Hong Kong Certificate in Playwork (Level 2) has been extremely
well received by social workers, teachers, care workers and many other
professionals who work with children and we have run T2T
training to trainers
sessions in Hong Kong to enable experienced Playright trainers to take over the
delivery of this course. In March 2010 we are looking forward to hosting a three
week visit to the UK by two of these trainers, which will focus on the
development of the Hong Kong Level 3 course and include visits to projects and
conferences across England.
Profits from the sale of 'Global Glue', our activity pack on developing a global
village with loads of ideas for multicultural activities, have all been donated
to Save the Children. The total amount donated currently stands at £3,457.24.
We host the International Playwork Forum, where members from all around the globe
can share and debate playwork theory and practice - to find out more click here.
Our membership includes people from twenty countries around the world. Our publications - particularly our ever-popular 'Buskers Guide' series - have
been read, used and giggled over (!) around the world, and we have regular
Playwords readers across the globe. We are always very keen to
hear from people outside the UK with ideas for Playwords articles - please contact us if
you'd like to submit an article.
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I often have trouble having things
sent to me through the BFPO system but the staff I dealt with when ordering were extremely
helpful and 
