Playful Planet
for a child friendly world
Advocating for children’s play in public policy
Welcome to Playful Planet!
We offer independent consultancy, research, advocacy and events on children’s play as a matter of public policy.
Our aim is to support government, local authorities and other public bodies to develop and adopt the policies and plans for children to enjoy their right to play within a more child-friendly public realm.
what we do
We do this through consultancy work, events, publications, policy development and advocacy. We work with practitioners, policy-makers and public officials to advance the wellbeing and rights of children as full stakeholders in playable public space and public services.
who we are
Adrian Voce is the founder and director of Playful Planet, working with partners, associates and bespoke teams to deliver different events, contracts and activities.
Adrian has worked for more than 40 years in children’s play: as a playworker, play service manager, trainer, writer, and consultant. Since 1998 he has been a leading advocate for children's right to play from various senior positions in the charity sector.
He was the first director of London Play, working with the Mayor to produce a city-wide play policy.
As the founding director of Play England he was the main architect of the English Play Strategy of 2008, advising the government, drafting and commissioning guidance documents, and leading the support services for local authorities.
After the Play Strategy was abandoned in 2010, Adrian worked as a freelance play advocate and also became President of the European Network for Child Friendly Cities, running major international conferences in cities such as Ghent, London, Copenhagen and Bristol.
From 2021-26 Adrian was head of policy and public affairs at Starlight, the national charity for play in healthcare, developing guidance, standards and a workforce strategy in partnership with NHS England and the Society of Health Play Specialists.
Adrian is the author of Policy for Play – responding to children's forgotten right (Policy Press, 2015). He has a Masters degree in Professional Studies in Children’s Play and an OBE for services to children.
