On Saturday 2 June 2018 a group of parents, supported by other residents and by Impact Hub Birmingham's #RadicalChildcare programme, closed Milcote Road in Bearwood for a morning so that children (and adults!) could play.  How they did it is detailed over on the Bearwood.cc website, take a look at the video and story if you're up for organising Playing Out on your street.

In 8 easy steps we link you to all the resources you'll need to do it yourself, with Go Play Sandwell's support to provide template letters and risk assessment and road closed signs. We Are Bearwood will provide the insurance. Contact Go Play Sandwell on social media (@goplaysandwell).

Step 1: check out www.playingout.net.

Step 2: check the calendar to check that the street signs and road closed barriers will be available for you to use and contact Go Play Sandwell to let them know what you want to do and when. These are available on loan free of charge.

Step 3: Get the required application form from Go Play Sandwell. This should be sent to the Highways department at the supplied address and will take about six weeks to process.

Step 4: Get in touch with residents asking for their support and for volunteer stewards (4 for each end of the closure is advisable, more if stewards will need a break). There are template letters from Go Play Sandwell to help you with all the correspondence you may need to send to your neighbours. It's worth getting in touch with all residents on your street, but you only need majority support from residents within the closure area.  Consider holding a meeting with residents in a local venue or your house in case any are nervous and want to ask you questions.

Step 5: Write your risk assessment using the form from Go Play Sandwell, they will be available if you need help.  Make sure you review that the risks and how to mitigate them are relevant on your street and update as necessary.

Step 6: Arrange to pick up the signs and barriers from Go Play Sandwell, they also have a safety kit containing briefing notes for the stewards, whistles and high viz vests.

Step 7: If your application is approved by the council, it's worth confirming that Playing Out is going ahead with a simple reminder flyer.  Go Play Sandwell have a template for this as well.

Step 8: Enjoy the day! Half an hour before the event, brief your stewards, get them to sign that they've read and understood the risk assessment, and get ready to put the road closed signs up!