Over 40,000 children
1000s of creative ideas
Over 180 volunteers
Over 10 schools
2 Continents
Our Projects
Since 2016, Dream Networks has been successfully bringing play projects to the children in the UK and Global South.
These projects fall under two programmes that we offer: Love Plays and Safe Haven.
Below you can find out more about what they entail, and see completed projects.
What it is:
Love Plays is our most popular programme. At its core we address three social, environmental and economic needs :
- The global need for physical and cognitive development cultivated through outdoor play
- The local and global need for practical and engaging application of STEM in school education
- The pressing need for younger generations to be educated on the sustainable use of resources and global sustainability issues
Who it involves:
This programme involves mainly schools and businesses.
What we do:
This programme consists of three stages: workshops, design and the build.
1. Workshops:
During STEAM workshops, children get to create their dream play space using design software specially adapted for this purpose. They get to learn the concept of design thinking, get a great introduction to STEAM, and learn about the importance of using sustainable resources. The workshops are led either by volunteers provided by a business, or with the help of school teachers. We also do our best to invite guest facilitators from the industry.
2. The Design:
Our team makes children's dreams of playing a reality by developing the children's designs to ensure they can be built sustainable and are inclusive.
3. The Build:
After the design has been created, we partner with local builders, landscapers and artisans to bring the designs to life.
We have taken Love Plays around the globe!
In the international branch of the programme, a school in the UK will partner with a school from a less economically developed country.
Students from the UK will design the playground, and Dream Networks will carry out the build abroad.
This programme promotes cultural exchange and teaches students how to design while keeping in mind the differences between communities.
Climbing frame
Happy students at St John’s and St Peter’s Academy, Birmingham
Workshop with volunteers from Atkins
Recycled tyres at St John’s and St Peter’s Academy, Birmingham
Elephant slide design for Baraa, Tanzania
CAD primary school co-designers, Clapham, London
Love Plays International Bristol and Kenya
Design workshop, London
What it is:
The focus of the Safe Haven programme is on providing play to wider communities, focusing on celebrating their culture and improving both the play facilities and economic development. We also aim to create play features from 100% sustainable, local materials and where possible incorporate the use of renewable energy sources. We work with the community to create community resilient solutions that help to protect and enhance the environment.
Who it involves:
This programme is all about the involvement of communities into the build process, and building play spaces in schools, residential areas and public spaces. To do so, we connect with Architects, Property Developers, NGOs and communities; and provide them with community lead and sustainable solutions..
What we do:
Similar to our Love Plays programme, Safe Haven also includes workshops, design, and the build process. The designs are developed collaboratively with community members, and we facilitate the exchange of ideas during workshops.
We are proud of our mission to use sustainable materials and renewable energy in our build. But sustainability is not just about physical resources, but the legacy that this programme will leave behind. Safe Haven promotes economic development through providing methods for local communities to promote their local culture and skills to visitors, transfer knowledge, and leave long-lasting relationships between different sectors of our society.
Similar to our Love Plays programme, Safe Haven also includes workshops, design, and the build process. The designs are developed collaboratively with community members, and we facilitate the exchange of ideas and greater understanding of how we can collectively contribute towards our global net zero aims during design workshops. We either manage the build or the architects and property developers we partner with.
