ABOUT THIS EPISODE This week I am joined by Adele Cleaver, a playworker of 16years and PhD researcher exploring playfulness as a state of mind. We talk about what happens when adults stop waiting for permission to play, and start accepting that play belongs everywhere. Adele shares how she creates spaces for unstructured play in settings from hospitals to asylum seeker hotels, what the play cycle involves, and why mischief might be one of the most direct routes to joy. We also talk about her research into Nottingham's growing intolerance tochildren's play, and the invitation to playfulness she is building for her 40th year. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Recorded between the UK and Lisbon, Portugal. We acknowledge the colonial histories connected to both places, and honour the diverse communities whose lands and labour built these cities. FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS Free Joy Hour resource: www.goddxxpath.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE 16 years creating and protecting play spaces, hospitals to asylum seeker hotelsHer PhD, Reimagining Practices of Play, and Nottingham's inclusive programme Researching the UK's growing intolerance to children's playPlayfulness as a state of mind versus play as anaction. The play cycle: environment, play cue, flow and annihilation Why adult play exists wherever capitalism doesn't interrupt Mum and Bass, the One O'Clock Club, and playground hacking Loose parts play, and the magic of a colander or a fencing chain Permission versus acceptance, and the power dynamic between them 40 Plus Playful, her invitation to play this winter TIMESTAMPS 00:38 - Adele's background across 16 years of playwork 02:23 - The PhD title, Reimagining Practices of Play 05:51 - What playwork actuallyinvolves 07:16 - Playfulness as a state of mind, play as an action 09:09 - Her own childhood, and where her relationship with play began 11:11 - The play cycle: environment, cue, flow, annihilation14:08 - The genius zone, and playfor adults 17:52 - Mum and Bass, the One O'Clock Club, playground hacking 20:32 - Loose parts play, and the light bulb moments 23:06 - A recent joy: Grandmaster Flash and a living room dance 27:44 - Permission versus acceptance of play 29:09 - 40 Plus Playful, her winter invitation to play ABOUT THE GUEST Adele Cleaver trained as a playworker in 2009. Over 16 yearsshe has created and protected spaces for unstructured play across community centres, a museum on the move, public parks, a community allotment, Great Ormond Street Hospital, an asylum seeker hotel, schools of every kind, urban woodland, empty shops and residential streets closed for play. Most recently in Nottingham, she worked as a primary school play coordinator and freelanced forIgnite, delivering therapeutic play for asylum seeker children. She is now in the first year of a PhD, Reimagining Practices of Play, researching child voice and the growing intolerance to children's play at a neighbourhood level in Nottingham. RESOURCES & MENTIONS Reimagining Practices of Play, Adele's PhD Ignite, therapeutic play for asylum seeker children Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five The Goddxx Path coaching programme The Playful Path, a book referenced by Adele 40 Plus Playful, Adele's forthcoming winter invitation CONNECT Ella MesmaWebsite: www.goddxxpath.com Book: www.goddxxpath.com/journal-to-joy/ Current offers: www.goddxxpath.com/links/Instagram: instagram.com/ellamesma Adele Cleaver Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adeleplayworker/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelecleaver/ LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Music:LamRock. Everything else brought to you by Ella and guests.
