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The importance of play for children’s development and wellbeing has been well established. However, disabled children and their families frequently find accessing play sites challenging due to a range of physical and social barriers and are therefore unable to experience many of the benefits play in this setting provides. Increasingly, United Kingdom policy has recognised this with the 2008 Play Strategy making an explicit commitment supported by funding to ensure that more inclusive public play facilities are developed. Using a case study example of a newly developed ‘inclusive’ play facility, this paper examines the views of young disabled people and their families regarding what makes a play facility inclusive. Using a socio-spatial analysis the paper identifies the importance of not only addressing physical constraints but also creating a space where disability is viewed positively and able-bodied discourses are not privileged at the expense of others. The importance of consulting with families, location of facilities and the role of play workers are all analysed. The paper concludes by critically examining the implications of the findings for the delivery of the Play Strategy particularly within the context of public spending cuts imposed by the new Coalition Government, and considers whether inclusive play spaces can become a standard and embedded part of community facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article examines the influence participating in football has on girls' gender identity construction. Set within the context of the rapid increase in the number of females playing football and the changing notions of femininity within contemporary girlhood, the article explores whether playing can assist with reshaping traditional notions of femininity. It draws on data collected during a six-month ethnographic study with a small group of 10- and 11-year-old girls. Butler's1 concept of performativity is used to provide a theoretical framework for understanding gender identity construction. Methodologically, the research is underpinned by feminist and childhood sociology epistemological principles. A range of participatory methods have been utilized to assist the girls with communicating their views on the complex and abstract area of gender identity. The research findings indicate that whilst playing football was considered 'acceptable' the way girls played was heavily restricted by traditional notions of femininity. Girls had to look 'feminine' and be committed to cultivating a slim idealized body. The 'way' they played was also limited by discourses of acceptable female embodiment. Aggressive, assertive and physical play was not tolerated. Girls' participation was therefore limited by dominant feminine discourses which constrained their involvement and prevented football from providing a site for alternative performances of femininity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity interventions are an important adjunct therapy for people with severe to moderate and/or enduring mental health problems. Football is particularly popular for men in this group. Several interventions have emerged over the past decade and there is a need to clearly articulate how they are intended to work, for whom and in what circumstances. Aims: To develop a theory-driven framework for a football intervention for men with severe, moderate and/or enduring mental health problems using a participatory realist approach. Methods: A participatory literature review on playing football as a means of promoting mental health recovery with a realist synthesis. It included the accounts and input of 12 mental health service users and the contributions of other stakeholders including football coaches and occupational therapists. Results: Fourteen papers were included in the review. Analysis revealed that interventional mechanisms were social connectedness, identity security, normalising experiences and positive affectivity. These supported mental health recovery. Outcomes were moderated by social stigma and several interventional factors such as over-competitiveness. Conclusions: The context mechanism outcome configuration framework for these interventions map well onto social models of mental health recovery and provide insight into how they work. This now requires testing.