My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
Yes
I am 18 years of age or above, by the application deadline.
Yes
My organisation is a registered UK entity and has a London-based address.
Yes
My organisation is a non-profit (e.g. school, university, or local authority) — not a for-profit, which can only join as a partner.
Yes
If there is a for-profit organisation as a partner in my initiative, they work on a cost-recovery basis only.
Yes
My solution is implemented at scale, or if not, I have a clear business plan, a minimum viable solution (prototype, pilot, or proof of concept), evidence of access to a lease for the space you are leveraging, and evidence of work or impact in London within your coalition.
Yes
I am aware that, if I am submitting more than one application to a Challenge run by Ashoka and Go! London, only one of them is able to progress through the stages.
Yes
Are you an employee (and their children and grandchildren) of Ashoka or any of its respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies?
No
I have read and accepted the Challenge Terms & Conditions.
Yes
First Name
Chris
Last Name
Hennis
Pronouns
He/Him
Email address
I would like to receive notifications and updates about Go London!, Ashoka, Ashoka Changemakers, and other Ashoka opportunities.
1
Are you an Ashoka Fellow?
No
Are you applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow?
No
If you are applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow, please specify the name and organisation of the fellow below.
Lead Organisation Name
Play Place Innov8 CIC
Year that you started/ registered your organisation
2007
Initiative Title
RePlay
My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
1
Website URL(s) or Social Media Handles
www.playplace.org
Initiative Stage
Pilot-Stage (The first activities have happened, and you have proof of concept)
Sectors/Themes: What topic does your project most directly relate to?
Children & Youth
Initiative Summary: Describe your initiative in one sentence
@RePlay is a bold, replicable partnership with young people, network groups, police, landlords and local authorities to transform underused spaces in London into safe, inclusive hubs for physical activity and wellbeing, diverting young people from violence and vulnerability while creating a proven, youth-led model that can be replicated in other communities.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve and who will benefit the most from your solution? How close are you to the problem and/or community impacted?
The problem we are helping to solve is the lack of safe, accessible and welcoming spaces for children and young people to be active in some of our most deprived parts of Croydon and Bromley. Many of the estates we work on have open spaces and parks, but these are underused, poorly maintained and feel unsafe, which limits opportunities for play, sport and positive social interaction. We work in New Addington North and South and Tollers Lane, the Tamworth Estate in South and Central Croydon, and the Queen Adelaide and Turpington Lane Estates in Bromley. According to the Index of Multiple Deprivation, these areas contain neighbourhoods in the lowest deciles nationally. Parts of New Addington fall within the 10% most deprived areas in England, with high levels of income deprivation, child poverty and poor health outcomes. Estates in Penge and Central Bromley also sit in the 20–30% most deprived deciles, surrounded by more affluent communities, which can increase feelings of isolation and inequality. Families in these areas face multiple barriers, including low household income, the high cost of activities, unemployment and young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), poor mental health and the needs of asylum-seeking families. For many, there are few affordable, local opportunities for sport and wellbeing. Play Place is close to the communities affected. We have long-term relationships with residents, schools and local services and regularly hear from young people and parents about the lack of safe places to go, especially in the evenings and during school holidays. The people who will benefit most are children and young people aged 5–19, particularly those experiencing poverty, isolation or vulnerability, who need positive, local spaces to be active.
Your approach: How are you/ will you addressing the problem outlined above? How does your solution unlock or reimagine access to spaces for sport and physical activity? What role do landowners, local authorities, or other decision-making stakeholders play in your approach? We'd love to know about the origin of your idea, and what was your "aha" moment" that led you to take action?
Our approach is to take forgotten corners of housing estates and turn them into places where young people belong, move and thrive. Play Place Innov8 CIC and Croydon Calisthenics CIC, who are specialists in street play and youth fitness, will pilot and scale a spring and summer programme, activating small parks, green patches and hard-standing areas with free, weekly after-school and weekend street-based play, strength and fitness sessions for young people aged 8–18. What makes this distinctive is that it shifts high-quality provision out of buildings and directly into the everyday spaces where young people already gather, transforming places linked to neglect or anti-social behaviour into visible hubs of positive activity. Regular delivery, youth ownership of equipment through local kit sheds and a fully equipped mobile resource van create lasting change in how space is used and valued. This places young people as co-creators and leaders, not just users. The model builds on Play Place’s track record of delivering community play and street-based events across London (since 2006) and Croydon Calisthenics CIC’s outreach experience, proving that young people engage when provision is safe, local and free. Our “aha” moment came from seeing young people in unsafe spaces simply because there was nowhere else to go; we realised the space already existed and just needed trust, permission and consistent activity. By working with landowners, housing providers and local authorities, we will secure safeguarding, long-term access and community ownership. Sustainability and scale will come through training volunteers and young leaders and growing digital reach through TikTok and Snapchat, enabling the model to expand across more estates and boroughs.
Collaboration with young people and the community: In what ways does your initiative engage young people and community members closest to the problem? What role do they play in building the solution you deliver?
At Play Place our mission is that “Everyone Counts”, and the active involvement of children and young people is central to how we design and deliver our work. We place young people at the heart of the solution, not just as participants but as co-creators, decision-makers and future leaders. We have long-standing relationships with young people and families on our targeted estates across key priority areas through venue-based clubs and community events delivered in Croydon since 2006 and Bromley since 2013. Recent focus groups and surveys with young people in these areas confirmed a clear and urgent need for more local physical activity opportunities that are free, safe and easy to access. Young people told us that cost is a major barrier, that many spaces on their estates are neglected or used for dumping, and that having activities on their own estate would make them feel safer and more confident to attend. They also highlighted concerns about low-level anti-social behaviour and vulnerability, particularly in areas such as New Addington and Queen Adelaide, where young people are often out in public spaces from a young age with limited positive provision and role models. In response, young people will help to shape the programme design, activity choices, session times and use of spaces. They will act as youth ambassadors, help promote sessions through social media, support the creation of youth-owned kit sheds, and take part in volunteering and leadership training. Local residents and parents will be involved in planning, safeguarding and supporting delivery. This ensures the programme is rooted in the community, builds trust, and creates spaces that young people feel proud to use, care for and protect over the long term.
Potential for/Evidence of Impact: How do you imagine your initiative will make a difference in unlocking spaces for and access to physical activity and sport so far? If you have already implemented it, what difference have you made so far? What is the impact your initiative has had , and or what impact do you envision having in the future?
Play Place builds monitoring and evaluation into all delivery to evidence impact, scale and learning. We use informal feedback, structured outcome tools, youth surveys, KPIs and our Upshot system to track participation, progress and change over time, measuring both immediate outputs and longer-term community impact. The project will evidence how it is promoted through social media, schools, housing providers, youth services, police and local networks. Each project year, across six estate locations we will deliver: Outputs 26 weekly sessions per location, each lasting up to 2hours (156 physical activity sessions delivered annually) At least 30 young people engaged per site (a minimum of 180 children and young people reached each year) Youth-owned spaces activated that were previously underused or unsafe Youth kit sheds set up at 6 locations containing basic sports equipment and loose ‘scrap’ parts for activity Young people will complete baseline, mid-point and end-of-project surveys, supported by focus groups and observation, to capture change over time. Outcomes (KPIs) 80% will report feeling more included 75% will feel fitter and more physically confident 40% will have made a new friend 90% will say they enjoyed being active 60% will feel their estate is a better place to live 50% will report increased confidence to use local spaces independently Over a three years period (TBA), impact will be trusted, well-used community spaces, supported by trained young leaders and volunteers. This will unlock sustained access to sport, strengthen community ownership, reduce isolation and embed a culture of positive, active use of estate spaces, creating lasting change for future generations and safer, healthier communities.
Innovation: What is different about your initiative compared to other solutions that are already out there? How is your approach original and innovative?
What if the places most associated with risk and neglect became spaces where young people feel hopeful? Our innovation lies in turning overlooked estate corners, streets and small green patches into youth-owned hubs of activity, belonging and opportunity, changing how these spaces are seen and used by the community. Unlike traditional centre-based provision, our work is street-based and rooted where young people live. We do not ask them to travel or pay to access sport; we bring free, high-quality activity to their doorstep, using the Play Place resource van and youth-built kit sheds. Spaces once linked to dumping, anti-social behaviour or fear are reimagined as places of play, wellbeing and pride, used regularly and positively. Our approach is young person-led and community-powered. Young people co-design sessions, choose activities, promote them through social media and take on leadership and volunteering roles. This shifts power, builds confidence and creates a self-perpetuating model where today’s participants become tomorrow’s leaders. Volunteers are recruited locally and supported through training, DBS checks and mentoring, embedding skills and sustainability within the estate. We collaborate with housing providers, local authorities, street play specialists and youth organisations to unlock permissions, share responsibility and change how spaces are managed. This joined-up model breaks down barriers, restores undervalued land for community use and builds trust between residents and decision-makers. By combining imaginative use of space, digital engagement, youth ownership and volunteer-led delivery, we are not just running sessions; we are changing the story of these places, proving that streets and estates can become platforms for health, connection and hope.
Viability and Scalability: How are you setting your initiative up for success, and what is your plan to ensure operational sustainability of your solution and its impact? What are your ideas for scaling your initiative to the next level?
Play Place has a long and proven track record of delivering street-based and estate-based activity, with strong systems for safeguarding, risk assessment, staffing, promotion, policies and community relationship-building already in place. Each year we deliver over 50 street-based roadshow events. This means the initiative is built on existing infrastructure, trusted partnerships, knowledge, equipment and experienced delivery teams, reducing risk and increasing the likelihood of long-term success. Operational sustainability will be achieved through a mixed model of trained staff, local volunteers and young leaders, supported by clear policies, DBS checks, safeguarding, and ongoing training. Our mobile resource van, youth-owned kit sheds and low-cost, recycled equipment keep delivery flexible and affordable, while long-term agreements with housing providers and local authorities secure access to spaces. Monitoring through Upshot, KPIs and youth feedback ensures continuous improvement and demonstrates impact to funders and partners. We take a learning and development approach, using regular consultation, surveys and reflection with young people, parents and partners to adapt the model and build a replicable framework. This creates a clear delivery methodology that can be transferred to other estates and boroughs. To scale, we will strengthen partnerships with local authorities, housing associations, schools, youth services and health partners, and develop a trained volunteer and youth leadership pathway to grow local capacity. We aim to expand the model across additional London boroughs, using evidence of impact, a tested delivery structure and a strong community-led workforce to unlock more underused spaces and create sustainable active places.
Roles and Responsibilities: Describe how responsibilities are shared among your team or partners.
The initiative will be led by Play Place Innov8 CIC in partnership with Croydon Calisthenics CIC, working together to deliver the agreed outputs of safe, regular and high-quality physical activity sessions for children and young people aged 8–18 across approved estate locations. Play Place Innov8 CIC will provide overall project leadership, coordination and safeguarding. They will secure and approve locations, manage relationships with housing providers and local authorities, oversee access to participants, and ensure the programme aligns with community needs and agreed outcomes. Play Place will act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, provide on-site supervision, manage behaviour and attendance, obtain parental consent for participation and media, and ensure all safeguarding, health and safety and insurance requirements are met. They will also lead on monitoring, evaluation and reporting against outputs and KPIs. Croydon Calisthenics CIC will be responsible for the planning and delivery of weekly after-school and holiday physical activity sessions. They will provide suitably qualified and experienced coaches, ensure all instructors hold Enhanced DBS checks, maintain appropriate Public Liability Insurance, and deliver sessions in line with Play Place safeguarding procedures. They will support positive engagement, progression and inclusion of young people, and contribute to recording attendance and outcomes. Both partners will work collaboratively to review delivery, adapt sessions to young people’s needs and ensure quality, safety and consistency. Financial responsibilities will be clearly managed, with Croydon Calisthenics CIC invoicing monthly for agreed paid sessions, and Play Place ensuring timely payment and contract management. This shared, clearly defined structure ensures accountability, quality delivery and the successful achievement of project outputs and long-term impact.
Upcoming Milestones: Please provide an overview of the milestones that are required for your initiative to come to fruition/to grow.
Our key milestones are structured around preparing spaces, engaging young people, delivering activity and building long-term sustainability. Phase 1: Mobilisation and Co-Design (Months 1–3) We will confirm partnerships with housing providers, local authorities and delivery partners, secure permissions for sites and complete risk assessments. Young people on each estate will be engaged through focus groups, surveys and taster sessions to co-design activities, choose session times and help shape the look and use of spaces, including the design of youth-owned kit sheds. Recruitment of volunteers and young leaders will begin, alongside DBS checks and safeguarding training. Phase 2: Activation and Delivery (Months 4–12, repeated annually) Weekly after-school, weekend and holiday sessions will begin across all locations, supported by the Play Place resource van and street-based delivery. Milestones include activating six underused spaces, establishing kit sheds, reaching at least 180 young people per year and embedding regular, trusted activity. Young people will act as ambassadors, promote sessions through TikTok and Snapchat, and support peer recruitment. Monitoring through Upshot and youth surveys will track progress against outcomes. Phase 3: Leadership and Sustainability (Year 2–3) We will train young leaders and volunteers to support delivery, session set-up and community engagement, building local capacity. Partnerships will be strengthened with schools, housing teams, health and youth services to secure long-term access to spaces and resources. Evidence of impact will be used to attract further funding and replicate the model on additional estates. By the end of the project, milestones will include established youth-led spaces, trained local leaders, strong volunteer teams, proven outcomes in wellbeing and inclusion, and a replicable delivery model that enables the programme to continue and grow beyond the funded period.
Capacity-Building Participation and Support Funding: If you were to make it as a finalist, you will be required to participate in an 8-week capacity building programme. If funding/ cost is a barrier to your participation, we may be able to offer up to 10,000 GBP of grant money available to support you. Please break down below, if it is the case, what costs you would incur and you would need covered. (Please note that there are restrictions on how the grant money may be used; please refer to the T&Cs for further details.
Participation in the 8-week capacity building programme would be extremely valuable for strengthening our leadership, governance, evaluation and scaling plans. However, as a small community-based organisation working in areas of high deprivation, releasing staff time and covering participation costs would present a financial challenge. If available, we would use capacity-building support funding to cover the following essential costs: Staff time to attend programme sessions, workshops and mentoring (project lead and senior youth worker), including backfill to ensure frontline delivery to young people can continue uninterrupted. Travel costs for in-person sessions, meetings or site visits (public transport across London). Contribution towards childcare or caring cover for key staff where required to enable full participation. Digital access costs, including data, software subscriptions or equipment needed to take part in online sessions and collaborative learning activities. Specialist support linked to capacity building, such as evaluation advice, financial planning, governance development or scaling strategy, where permitted under the fund’s terms. This support would ensure we can fully engage in the programme without diverting resources away from delivery on our estates. It would directly strengthen our organisational resilience, leadership capacity and readiness to scale, enabling us to maximise the long-term impact of the initiative and sustain outcomes for young people and communities beyond the funding period.
