Isle of Play has welcomed two new members of staff to its team over the last few months.

The charity, which was established three years ago, currently works with as many as 1,000 children a week.

Since its inception, it has fast become one of the island’s most popular charities.

It provides opportunities to children around the Isle of Man through its popular Forest School, PlayingOut and Lester’s Yard Adventure Playground projects.

However, since the start of the pandemic the demand for Isle of Play’s support has grown exponentially, with their service delivery adapting to include therapeutic support for children in crisis.

As such, Isle of Play has taken on two additional workers to help with the delivery of existing services and further the charity’s reach.

Chris Gregory from Isle of Play said: ’The decline in children’s play has been radical.

’Childhood has always been made up of physical contact with the world and other children, for the first time in history we are seeing these opportunities replaced by contact with a very different and less-physically tangible world.

’The implications of this are still yet relatively unknown, but the concerns from leading scientists are very real. There are obvious concerns around the physical impact of sedentary lifestyles including obesity, diabetes, and future heart disease.’

He added: ’However, the mental health implications could be potentially catastrophic.

’We know that play is essential to children’s brain development and a whole host of social skills that teach us to become adaptable socially competent individuals; but play is also directly linked to preventing mental illnesses such as depression.’

Lamara Craine, who joined Isle of Play in September, said: ’Working for such a prestigious grass roots charity has been a lifelong dream.

’Knowing that I can make a direct influence on children’s lives daily is incredibly fulfilling. The past three months have been so enjoyable and rewarding.’

Max Carrington who joined at the beginning of the festive period, said: ’Getting out there and putting smiles on the faces of the children is what it’s all about.

’Providing children with the opportunity to get out and play is amazing especially after the events of the last two years. The team are all so passionate and it’s truly heartwarming to see just how much they all care.’

Isle of Play is shut for two weeks over Christmas before it returns in early January 2022.

You can find out more at www.isleofplay.im