Today In Play

From concept to conversation: how one idea is igniting change.

The Thomas Playground—born from our partnership with Accessible UK and inspired by Gillian Scotford’s family experiences—is not a physical playground (yet), but a visionary blueprint for inclusivity. This bold concept challenges us to think beyond isolated accessibility features and instead imagine play spaces designed from the ground up to welcome and engage every child.

Join Timberplay for an open, honest, and cross-cultural conversation between the UK and the Middle East about what designing truly inclusive play means—not just in principle, but in practice. We'll explore how culture, context, and lived experience shape inclusion—and why it's about creating belonging, not just compliance.

Session highlights include:

• Moving beyond minimum standards—what does inclusion really look like in design?
• The impact of lived experience on inclusive thinking
• Navigating real-world constraints while designing for diverse needs
• Why inclusive spaces benefit everyone—and why aiming higher matters

Whether you’re a landscape architect, developer, educator, or someone who simply cares about the importance of play, this webinar invites you to reflect, learn, and connect.

Panellists:

 

Anamaria Castillo
Landscape Strategies Director, KALQ Studio

 

Anamaria is an eco-social landscape architect whose work focuses on designing public spaces that reflect the cultural, environmental, and social contexts of the communities they serve. With a background in education, art, and landscape architecture, she brings a deeply human approach to design—one that connects form with purpose and people with place.

Her interest in play stems from both her academic training and her personal experience as a mother in a neurodiverse family. This has shaped her understanding of inclusion—not as a checklist, but as a commitment to creating spaces that genuinely welcome everyone, from toddlers to teenagers, from caregivers to grandparents.

Based in Dubai, Anamaria brings an international lens to inclusive design, acknowledging that while play is universal, the way we design for it is profoundly cultural. She is especially passionate about creating intergenerational, fitness-oriented, and socially engaging landscapes that foster connection, reduce screen dependency, and support long-term wellbeing.

Nichola Speight
Associate Landscape Architect, Ryder Architecture

 

Nichola is an Associate Landscape Architect at Ryder Architecture, where she works across a broad range of UK and international projects—from detailed public realm schemes to large-scale spatial strategies. With over a decade of experience, she brings a clear focus on places that not only look good, but genuinely support wellbeing, identity, and everyday life.

A Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute since 2010, Nichola’s background blends both the art and science of design. Her training includes undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Landscape Architecture from Manchester Metropolitan University, and her work is grounded in a commitment to thoughtful, user-centred design.

Whether she’s shaping urban squares or reimagining green infrastructure, Nichola champions inclusive, accessible, and socially responsive landscapes. She believes that well-designed spaces can—and should—welcome everyone, and that community engagement is central to getting that right.

 

This discussion will be hosted by Beth Cooper, Independent Play Consultant

After a decade in the community arts field as a performer, Beth took an educational and academic detour into the world of play.

Under the mentorship of Professor Perry Else she opened the door to a 15 year career specialising in the relationship between play and the environment.

She has lectured on Play at Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield University and has spoken at conferences around the world.

Beth has been a trustee of Play England and Yorkshire Play and has a PgDip in Organisational Development and Consultancy.  

Hosted by Beth Cooper, Independent Play Consultant

After a decade in the community arts field as a performer, Beth took an educational and academic detour into the world of play.

Under the mentorship of Professor Perry Else she opened the door to a 15 year career specialising in the relationship between play and the environment.

She has lectured on Play at Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield University and has spoken at conferences around the world.  Both professionally and personally Beth has always had a passion for inclusion and widening participation in the Arts and Play.

Register for the webinar here → Eventbrite

Can't make the live session? Register anyway - all attendees will receive a recording and supplementary resources to support your inclusive design journey.