PlayLand
a place of my own
PlayLand
PlayLand is a product and project for displaced, refugee and traumatised children, especially those caused by the war in Ukraine.
What is PlayLand?
PlayLand is a printed 1m x ½ m fabric playscape mat, with features suitable for boys and girls of all ages from babies to about 11, which can be easily folded away in a pocket. PlayLand can be played with, with or without whatever a child has, even is that is nothing – no additional parts are required. It’s suitable for children if they are staying in temporary accommodation, travelling for hours, resettled, or sadly, hiding in bunkers.
The PlayLand project
The PlayLand mat is to be given as a gift to Ukrainian children, many of whom have left behind or lost all familiar and favourite toys and personal effects along with their homes. There will never be enough therapy available for the millions of refugee Ukrainian children and millions more displaced children still within Ukraine. Most will never return to their homes, landscapes, playthings or friends, and many will live in a series of temporary places for years.
Play Therapy and Trauma
PlayLand offers the child a personal imagined space to stimulate play which is essential in processing trauma. The design is embedded in play therapy, art practice and psychology research to provide as much play value as possible while avoiding as many trauma triggers as possible.
PlayLand is a blend of Art & Design, Psychology & Research, Common Sense & Compassion.
How you can help PlayLand
PlayLand is seeking friends and funding for initial expenses in making prototypes and running trials with the initial aim of getting it up and running in the UK, and then across Europe and into Ukraine.
Join artist and designer Eleanor MacFarlane (BA & MA fine art & MSc psychology) and the PlayLand team, currently an Art Therapist and a Play Therapist.
All interest and expertise welcome: Philanthropists, Parents, Partners, Printers, Producers, Psychologists, Pals, Phriends, Phunders...