More about MASKK
MASKK is a charity that provides activities and services for children and families.
MASKK also exsisit to increase local employment opportunities, through providing paid employment and volunteering opportunities to help people develop skills.
The Trustees who oversee the governance and quality are a group of volunteers, all of whom work locally and bring different skills and experiences. New people are welcome to join the Trustees at the AGM or throughout the year by contacting MASKK.
MASKK is managed day to day by a Manager, Craig and each project is then led by a Lead Playworker. The Manager and Lead Playworkers work together to plan and prepare sessions as well as monitoring quality and supporting the staff and volunteers.
Mission Statement:
“To work towards the enhancement of the lives of the local children living in the Manor area aged 5 and over regardless of wealth, religion, gender, race, background or ability.”
Aims:
a) To provide the necessary facilities for the daily care, recreation and education of children during out of school hours and school holidays.
b) To advance the education and training of the persons in the provision of such care, education and recreational facilities.
c) To advance education of the public (in particular local families) in the field of parenting and to provide or assist in providing facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation for the public with the object of improving their conditions of life and with a view to promoting good parenting.
A Playwork Setting
The playwork approach is based on a set of values and principles that underpins everything we do. As an organisation we aim to provide play opportunities and evaluate what we do using the 7 play objectives set out in Best Play – What Play Provision Should Do For Children.
The 7 play objectives:
- We extend the choice and the control children have over their play, the freedom they enjoy and the satisfaction they gain from it
- We recognise the child’s need to test boundaries and respond positively to that need
- We balance the need to offer risk and the need to keep children safe from harm
- We aim to maximise the range of play opportunities available for children
- We foster and encourage children’s independence and self-esteem
- We foster and encourage children to respect others and offer opportunities for social interaction
- We foster children’s well-being, healthy growth and development, knowledge and understanding, creativity and capacity to learn.
The 8 playwork principles:
All children need to play. Play is fundamental to the healthy development and well-being of individuals and communities
Play is a process that is freely chosen, children determine and control the content and intent of their play by following their own ideas in their own way for their own reasons
The prime focus of playwork is to support and facilitate the play process
The play process takes precedence and playworkers act as advocates for play when engaging with adult-led agendas
The role of the playworker is to support all children in the creation of a space in which they can play
Playworkers response to play is based on sound, up-to-date knowledge of the play process and reflective practice
Playworkers recognise their own impact on the play space and the impact of children’s play on the playworker
Playworkers choose an intervention style that enables children to extend their play and balance risk with the developmental benefit and well-being of children
Policy and Procedure
You are welcome to view our organisations policy and procedures. These are the standards and operational procedures we work to across all our services.
These are written in line with Playwork Practice, the EYFS in regards to our Ofsted registration and Health & Safety Exuctive guidance. All take a risk benefit approach to providing suitable care while letting children grow and develop by expereincing the world around them.
‘Play is great for children’s well-being and development. When planning and providing play opportunities, the goal is not to eliminate risk, but to weigh up the risks and benefits. No child will learn about risk if they are wrapped in cotton wool’. Health and Safety Executive Publication: Children’s play and leisure: promoting a balanced approach July 2012
