Our story
2009
The seed is planted for investment in outdoor play
Inspiring Scotland worked with Scottish Government to develop a programme which supported 29 organisations over two years under the Go Play banner.
2013
The seed is watered
During this time, we learned about what worked with and for communities enabling Inspiring Scotland and the Scottish Government to extend this investment under the banner of Go2Play, scaling up the Play Ranger Model. Play Rangers provide more and better opportunities for children to access free play within their community – on street corners, or in local parks or woodlands, improving the health, wellbeing and resilience of children.
2016
Play gets active
Inspiring Scotland partnered with charities PEEK, FARE and The Jeely Piece Club to deliver Active Play to Glasgow City Council Education Services as part of the Attainment Challenge.
2017
Thrive Outdoors takes root
Thrive Outdoors was rebranded from Go Play to recognise the range of ways children and young people can access outdoor and nature based experiences. We still love play! It is still fundamental to our work. We also wanted a stronger focus on nature and environmental connection.
2018
Thrive Outdoors comes into bloom
From 2018 -2021 Thrive Outdoors worked in partnership with Scottish Government to support 12 local authorities to build outdoor play and learning into their plans for the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) expansion. Two third sector organisations in rural Scotland received investment to establish fully outdoor nursery settings.
In partnership with the Care Inspectorate and funded by the Scottish Government, Thrive Outdoors created the Out to Play publication - designed to support providers to create fully outdoors experiences for children. Out to Play remains the primary resource for supporting the growth in outdoor ELC and School Age Childcare. Additional chapters of the Out to Play suite have subsequently been developed.
We also brought together hundreds of organisations sharing our mission to form Scotland’s Outdoor Play and Learning Coalition and co-create the National Position Statement.
2020
Branching out
The 'Practitioner Tip' series was launched, supporting practitioners to use outdoor play through the Covid-19 pandemic. Three new Out to Play chapters were published, focused on Childminders, Out-of-School Care and Additional Support Needs.
2022
Nurturing growth
In May 2022 Thrive Outdoors hosted our Outdoor Early Learning and Childcare Conference ‘Growing the Ambition Together’. This consisted of two days online and in-person aimed at harnessing existing practice and growing the movement of outdoor play and learning in Scotland.
2023
Thrive Outdoors leaders fly the nest
2023 saw the first Thrive Outdoors leadership programme, where 21 emerging leaders from charities across the outdoor play and learning sector took part in a six-month programme funded by the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland.
2024 onwards
Thrive Outdoor continues to flourish
With the 2021-2025 strategy, Inspiring Scotland Scotland's commitment to supporting children and young people through Thrive Outdoors continues to push the agenda at a national level, enhance provision at a local level, and empower practitioners to share their passion for the outdoors with children and young people.
The story continues. If you share our mission, email us at Thrive@inspiringscotland.org.uk to find out how we can help.