ChangeX and the LEGO Foundation launch play-focused fund to support community projects across the UK

ChangeX and the LEGO Foundation launch play-focused fund to support community projects across the UK

● To date, ChangeX has launched 25 community play funds across 9 countries with the LEGO Foundation’s support, funding 1,097 community play projects and benefitting almost 162,000 children.

June 2024

ChangeX, the community engagement platform, has launched a new £80,000 play-focused community fund, with support from the LEGO Foundation, to empower communities across the UK to create more playful experiences for children.

The LEGO Foundation is dedicated to ensuring children globally can learn through play, develop critical skills and reach their full potential. Its partnership with ChangeX is designed to activate more learning through play projects in communities around the world, to inspire more people to champion the power of play, and to scale proven play ideas.

This new fund is the third UK Community Play Fund, building on the success of previous funds in 2022 and 2023. It is one of seven play funds that ChangeX and the LEGO Foundation are launching this summer, and follows the recent launch of a dedicated fund to celebrate the first ever International Day of Play on June 11.

To date, ChangeX has launched 25 community play funds across 9 countries, including the UK, with the LEGO Foundation’s support, funding 1,097 community play projects and benefitting almost 162,000 children. A tenth country, Vietnam, will be added to the partnership this year.

Sherrelle Parke, founder of Bantu Baby, received funding for a heroes-themed Play Day in Essex. She said: "It was great to see so many families out enjoying themselves, without having to worry about what they could afford or how to entertain the children for an afternoon! The overall aim was to create an environment where children could 'learn through play' and to bring local families together to increase a sense of neighbourliness."

The new UK Community Play Fund offers funding for anyone who wants to transform their community through play, including non-profits, community groups, schools, parents and passionate individuals. It will support communities to bring an existing play idea - such as creating mini teaching gardens or spreading joy through books - to life in their neighbourhood.

Niamh McKenna, co-founder and head of impact, ChangeX, said: “Our ongoing partnership with the LEGO Foundation is empowering communities across the UK to enrich children's lives through play. Building on our track record of impact across 9 countries, we're thrilled to offer funding to passionate changemakers eager to make a playful difference in their communities. We want to ensure that as many children as possible have the opportunity to develop essential skills by learning through play.”

Funding from the UK Community Play Fund will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Find out more.

About ChangeX

ChangeX is a community engagement platform designed to get funding and resources

directly into the hands of ordinary people to lead impactful projects in their neighbourhoods.

ChangeX was established in 2015. It works with social innovators to scale proven

solutions to environmental, economic and social issues and partners with companies

and foundations to support local communities with the necessary funding. Its funders

include Microsoft, Accenture and the LEGO Foundation, among others.

ChangeX is an international non-profit organisation, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland,

with teams based across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.

www.changex.org

About the LEGO Foundation

The LEGO Foundation aims to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow; a mission that it shares with the LEGO Group. The LEGO Foundation is dedicated to building a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners. Its work is about re-defining play and re-imagining learning. In collaboration with thought leaders, influencers, educators and parents the LEGO Foundation aims to equip, inspire and activate champions for play.

www.learningthroughplay.com