A play worker at The Children’s Centre has won a prestigious BBC Countryfile Magazine award. Play Development Officer Chris Gregory won the Professional Wild Hero accolade which was open to nominations from the UK and Isle of Man. After five nominees were short-listed, the winner was chosen by a public vote on the www.countryfile.com website. 933 votes were cast in total, with 380 for Chris who took 41% of the poll.

He was nominated for his work championing children’s ‘Right to Play’ encouraging children to have the freedom to interact and play in the outdoors. Chris says he is delighted to win, but regards the award as a positive reflection on those he works closely with and The Children’s Centre in general, rather than a purely personal accolade. He added:

“It’s great to bring this award back to the Isle of Man as a reward for everyone who has contributed towards what we have achieved so far. Winning this award also highlights the fantastic opportunities which the Isle of Man provides for children, but there is still much needed work to do.”

The Professional Wild Hero Award is for someone who works with children that has gone beyond the call of duty to open youngsters’ eyes to the natural world around them. Nominations for the award were open to teachers, social workers, healthcare professionals, and play workers. Chris and his colleagues at The Children’s Centre are always working on new projects – one current example is a plan to create an adventure playground in Jurby. To do that they need a sponsor and would love to hear from any individuals or businesses to help fund it.

John Knight, Chief Executive of The Children’s Centre, commented:

“Many congratulations to Chris for winning such a prestigious award. It represents the increasingly wide acknowledgement of his impact in furthering the development and recognition of play as such an important medium for children and adults alike, across the Isle of Man.”

In addition to being Play Development Officer, Chris is also The Children’s Centre’s International Play Association Correspondent. The IPA is an international non-governmental organisation founded in 1961 which aims to protect, preserve and promote children’s right to play as a fundamental human right. Chris also devised the Play Bin initiative which transforms a mundane school playground into 100 unique worlds for children to enjoy at a fraction of the cost of generic playground apparatus.

The Professional Wild Hero Award is part of the Octavia Hill Awards scheme which are organised by the National Trust, the Wild Network and BBC Countryfile Magazine. The awards celebrate people who work to protect and enhance green spaces for wildlife and local communities. This year, the organisers were looking for ‘heroes’ who have helped children and young adults connect with the outdoors and wildlife – passing on their own experience, enthusiasm and love of nature. Many studies have shown that such connections with nature – especially in towns and cities – are essential for mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.

For more information about The Children’ Centre’s projects for children and young people go to www.thechildrenscentre.org.im

Photo - Chris Gregory, Play Development Officer at The Children’s Centre, who has won BBC Countryfile Magazine’s Professional Wild Hero Award.