Health, Well-being and Care

Bradford’s children and young people have voted and chosen their new play champion to promote the importance of play.
Ian Shackleton has been selected to take over the position of play champion from Councillor John Cole, who was in the role for more than 3 years.
Over 1,700 children voted in the election and Ian was officially appointed by the Bradford District Play Partnership, a multi-agency group which includes Bradford Council.
Bradford Council was one of the first local authorities in the country to appoint a play champion elected by children to work alongside Education Bradford.
Ian has been a parish councillor for Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury for the past 10 years and has also served as a member of the Bradford District Play Partnership.
Ian comments, “Being a family man, I have a strong desire to see play provision flourish across the district. The right to play is vital for our children to mature, develop and grow, both physically and mentally.
Play for children and young people can be challenging and team and character-building. I can think of no better sight than to see my children and others, happy at play.”
The role was created in 2005 to support the strategy for children’s play in the district, entitled All to Play For, which was originally published in 2004.