A belated Happy New Year from all of us at Project Play. How is it February already? In this newsletter, we're looking back on 2023 and saying a huge thank you for your support this year.

★ Plus, last chance to enter our raffle! Help us build the sustainability we need to keep playing - become a monthly donor (even £/€1 or £/€2 a month goes far). Enter by 23.59 on Saturday 3rd and be in with the chance of winning! ★

This year, we enjoyed some truly fabulous sessions - from exploring the joys of building things (paper cup telephones anyone?) to the wonders of science (baking soda and vinegar volcanoes!), and from investigating identity and community to thinking about the seasons, nature and the world around us.

Creative dress up, concocting sensory slime, making science FABULOUS, and putting on a play!

2023 also saw us visited by magical guests: Changing Stories lit up our tent with interactive theatre, large scale painting and comedy gold, Ambessa Play inspired us with science, Indira facilitated beautiful music making, and Wind Up Penguin dazzled us with their spectacular, interactive musical performances!

Clockwise: Wind Up Penguin, Changing Stories, and Ambessa Play's flashlight making session.

We want to take this time to say a huge, huge thank you to all those who have contributed their time, effort and hearts to our organisation. Thank you to all of our talented, committed and wonderful volunteers - Bisan, Elizabeth, Katelyn, Esme, Hannah, Jo, Tabs, Leo, Dana, Lynne, Maebh, Aggie, Ellen, Amy, Beth, Connie - we hope you know how amazing you are! To all of the coordinators who contributed so much time and energy - Ali, Tharuni, Juliette, Valentina, Anna, Elena, Dianne, Gloria - we could not have done it without you. To all of our dedicated remote volunteers - Mattie, Sophie, Sally, Leonie, Grace, Harry, Alicia, Christina - thank you for dedicating your time, creativity and support.

Finally, we'd like to extend a particular thank you to the wonderful people at Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL), who've been supporting us with monthly donations since 2020. We're deeply grateful for your ongoing support, and look forward to another year in partnership.

A little help packing up after session!

Yet despite these moments of joy, the tireless pursuit of hostile policies by both France and the UK means that the border remains violent and deadly. The children we work with are exposed to routine state hostility and daily violations of their fundamental rights - since the 1st of January alone, the Human Rights Observers have recorded 101 evictions of living sites. We stand in solidarity with all those forced to live in these hostile conditions and risk their lives seeking safety, and will continue to fight for a future in which no-one is subject to this.

Our work, and the work of our partner organisations in Calais and Dunkirk, could not happen without your support. We cannot thank you enough!

p.s. for a full review of Project Play's 2023, keep your eyes peeled for our Annual Report - coming soon.

Help us build the sustainability we need to keep playing, and keep fighting for change - become a monthly donor!

It doesn't need to cost a fortune - if everyone reading this email was able to donate £2 or €2 each month, it would cover all of our session running costs. Could you spare less than the cost of a cup of coffee to support our service?

Plus, join now and be entered into our fabulous Winter Raffle! For everyone £1/ 1 you commit to donating, you'll receive one raffle ticket - with the chance of winning an amazing prize from a local business or creator. Don't hang about - enter by 23.59 on Saturday 3rd!

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