MAP believes that every child has the right to play. This right is protected in article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international agreement that the UK has signed up to:

“State Parties recognise the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.”

Children need and want to play – it is a natural impulse that supports their health, wellbeing, happiness in the here and now and development as individuals and as members of their community.

Vision

MAP wants a world in which every child can exercise their right to play and access quality play opportunities, within their community, that meet their play needs and support the child to flourish.

Mission

To strongly influence, support and promote play and the child’s right to play in Midlothian – and when relevant beyond.

MAP works towards this mission through through building the capacity of play providers, working in partnership, improving quality of play opportunities, advocating for play, increasing understanding of play and providing services for children where gaps in provision exist.