About Us
Dream Networks is a not for profit community interest company that exists to enable businesses, communities and educational institutions to collaboratively design and build sustainable play areas in disadvantaged communities. Collaboratively schools, businesses and communities based in the UK and developing countries, develop creative play areas in underutilized areas. Play areas that are tailored to the communities needs and supported by business across a global, digital communication network.
Our Vision
The Dream Networks Vision is based on four core values that emphasis our desire to enable local and global neighbors to support each other, sustain their environment and promote cultural awareness. Of course, we achieve all these values in a creative, innovative and playful manner.
Community Tailored
We believe that as people we should demonstrate love for our local and global neighbours and also love for our environment. Our play areas are tailored to needs of the community and the forms of play the children need and desire. Our play areas reflect an understanding and appreciation of the local needs, environments and culture.
Business Supported
Transfer of skills and finances to provide empower and equip both the students and local community participants. Business also able to network and build relations as employees provide capacity building as part of the design and development process
Sustainably Built
The play areas are built in a manner that enables local community members to take ownership of the use of readily available, safe to use, local materials and resources. Our programmes promote the conservation of materials and the innovative use of natural resources.
Creative Play Areas
Research repeatedly recognises that play projects make a significant difference to areas and promote social interaction and provide a sense of community ownership in deprived neighbourhoods where there was little or no provision for play spaces. Our play areas support the development of essential skills required for earcly childhood development, cultivate creativity and aim to encourage social confidence. Not only that, our play areas provide voluntary work and paid employment opportunities to local youth and adults.
Our Origins
In August 2012, Marie, the founder of Dream Networks met Esther, a 3 year old girl on a dry, arid empty field in Tanzania. They did not speak the same language but soon became great friends. Every day Esther, would walk the short distance from her home to watch as community members, local skilled workers and overseas volunteers, gathered material around & constructed. Perhaps curiosity caused her to quickly join the diverse team & Esther become my favourite wood sander. After the 2 weeks were complete, she began to inspect the now painted colourful structures, trying to determine how they worked. Once she jumped of one short wood stump, she knew their function, they were for play! That’s when Marie knew creating play areas made a difference to children & communities. That everyone can contribute towards engineering solutions.
- Physical and Emotional development,
- Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem.
- Experimenting with Emotions and Releasing Emotions from Trauma.
- Social and Team work
- Playing Alone and Self Awareness.
Our Collaborative Impact
Who We Work With
Dream Networks has a collaboration and community based developmental ethos. Consequently we aim to collaborate with organisations towards our common vision to design and build creative, community tailored playgrounds in disadvantaged areas..
Our Team
The people and organisations we collaborate with contribute significantly to the sustainable design process fostered at Dream Networks, and we could not function without them.
Marie Adeyemi
CEO and Founder
Marie is a senior chartered engineer with over 9 years’ experience in advanced technology industries. She has significant experience as a volunteer working with people from disadvantaged backgrounds. She has worked with numerous primary and secondary schools to deliver interactive and technology based workshops such as the bloodhound project , water for the world and BBC2 (UK) programmes. Marie has lead the development and building of play areas with local and international volunteers in Tanzania, Kenya and the UK. Marie loves dancing, anything creative, baking cakes and the Christian faith.
Global Community Project Managers
Project managers within the communities the play areas are built
Local project managers within the community, manage the implementation of the play area and ensure community engagement.
Global Community Building Managers
Building managers within the communities the play areas are built
Local building managers within the community, manage the building of the play area and ensure the play areas that are robust and safe to use.
Dream Networks could not exist without the individuals and companies who dedicate their time, expertise and financial support. I am just the dreamer who put pen to paper and asked who wants to join in on the fun!
Marie AdeyemiGovernance
Dream Networks is a UK registered Community Interest Company (C.I.C). As a C.I.C social enterprise, all assets owned by Dream Networks are used to operate and sustain the company. All profits are used within the community and schools we collaborate with. Dream Networks is also in the process of securing an advisory board comprised of 4 members who have experience in STEM education, internal development, corporate partnerships and local manufacturing processes.