Promoting the right to play in Haringey
We run Haringey’s only free adventure playground. Our space and our projects give young people the opportunity to develop, explore and have fun.
Schools mentoring Programme: Haringey Community Gold Partnership (funded by London Mayor’s Office – Young London)
One-to-one and group mentoring sessions based at Somerford grove Adventure Playground to support children and young people struggling to remain in mainstream education.
Young people and their families meet weekly at Somerford Grove Adventure Playground to learn how to maintain their bikes and gain confidence riding.
An innovative, girls-only project that creates a safe, challenging, co-operative space in which girls can experience themselves free from the pressures of ‘being female’. Play activities can engage them in being who they want to be, without judgement or the need to justify.
Open-access provision for young people aged 7-16 yrs. Young people participate in exciting activities including creative projects, tree climbing, den building and team games. This helps develop their physical activity, social skills and resilience.
An arts project that culminated in a parade around the local area showing off the sculptures that the young people had made during workshops.
HarPA supported parents and carers to kick start resident-led street play by providing guidance and support online.
HarPA delivered play sessions in local housing estates with our play kits and experienced Playworkers and local resident volunteers throughout the 2016 summer holidays.
When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!
O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.
I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.
When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.