For the past 30 years, we’ve been on a remarkable journey, discovering something both simple and profound: play drives success. It might seem unconventional to some, but we’ve witnessed firsthand how powerful play can be. Over 700,000 people have experienced this through our programs, and the results speak for themselves—teams that play together are more creative, more collaborative, and more connected.
What’s fascinating is the science behind it. When we play, our brains come alive. Neural pathways are activated, endorphins flood our system, and suddenly, we’re more open to new ideas, more capable of solving problems, and more attuned to those around us. This isn’t just a feel-good notion; it’s biology in action. And that’s why we believe, deep down, that play isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential to team success.
This belief led us to create something more—a framework that expands the impact of play far beyond the walls of any single event. We call it The Play Philosophy, and it’s our bold step toward inspiring 1 million people to play by 2030. But more than just a number, this is about fostering a cultural shift. Play isn’t just an activity; it’s a mindset. It has the power to transform not only teams but entire organisations and communities.
Now, we know what you’re thinking – ‘Play? At work? How’s that going to help?’ Stick with us, and we promise you, you’ll be looking at your workplace in a whole new light. We’re talking less stress, more creativity, improved health, and yes, even more productivity.
WHY
Play
At first glance, play might seem like something reserved for children or weekend hobbies. But the truth is, play is essential for everyone—especially in the workplace. It’s not just about having fun; there’s a powerful science behind why play leads to success, and the research backs it up.
Did you know that play is a fundamental part of our biology, and it’s high time we start recognising its value. When we play, we’re not just having fun, we’re lighting up our brains, releasing mood-boosting endorphins, and enhancing our problem-solving skills.
Now, let me introduce you to Dr. Stuart Brown. He’s a big deal in play studies and has some fascinating insights. According to him, play is as crucial to our health as sleep or nutrition. Yes, you heard that right. Your weekly soccer game or daily crossword puzzle is up there with getting enough shut-eye and eating your veggies!
But it doesn’t stop there. Neuroscience further backs up the importance of play. It turns out, play is one of seven primary emotional systems hardwired into our brains. So every time we engage in play, we’re giving our brain a workout, strengthening those neural connections.
Adult play isn’t always obvious. Adults don’t reach a play state as easily as little kids do.
Consider this: playing a sport isn’t always play. It depends on your mindset. Engaged, feeling content, and up for the challenge? It’s play. Bored, irritated, or burdened? Not so much.
Your personal play circuits are a blend of the wiring you were born with and the pathways etched in your brain during those early years. They make your play unique to you.
And the good news? You can reconnect with that joy, even if it’s been a while. All it takes is a touch of self-awareness and a simple willingness to take the plunge. In short, play isn’t a distraction from work—it’s an accelerator of success. By tapping into the brain’s natural ability to thrive through play, we create environments where teams can truly excel. And this is the foundation of The Play Philosophy.
Why we created the
Play Philosophy
Our journey with play has taught us one undeniable truth: play is at the heart of team success. But as much as we’ve seen its benefits firsthand, we felt a deeper responsibility to expand the movement beyond the moments of fun we create at events. We wanted to take our passion and knowledge of play and turn it into something more—something that could inspire real change, not just for our clients but for the wider community.
That’s why we created The Play Philosophy. It wasn’t enough for us to just talk about the importance of play; we wanted to build a strategic framework that would make our mission clear, our promises concrete, and our values actionable. We wanted to provide a roadmap that organisations, teams, and communities could follow to truly harness the power of play. We designed it anchored by our core values, to ensure it works for teams of all sizes, across industries, and in any environment.
It’s our commitment to spreading the benefits of play in a way that’s structured, measurable, and impactful. It’s about taking what we’ve learned in over 30 years of experience and distilling it into a practical approach that inspires creativity, fosters stronger relationships, and drives lasting success in teams.
With The Play Philosophy, we’re taking everything we know and love about play and scaling it into something that has the potential to transform organisations, one team at a time.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR
Play
Partners
The Play Philosophy isn’t just something that benefits our team—it’s designed to create lasting value for everyone we work with, from clients to communities and partners.
By embracing this philosophy, we’re ensuring that play becomes a catalyst for success in all the right places.
cLIENTS
At the heart of The Play Philosophy is a simple but powerful belief: play leads to measurable results. When clients engage with us, they’re not just getting an event—they’re investing in a transformation. Whether it’s improving collaboration, enhancing creativity, or boosting morale, The Play Philosophy is a strategic approach that ensures teams walk away stronger, more connected, and more motivated to succeed. Our clients can expect to see lasting improvements in team dynamics, productivity, and overall performance.
But we go further. By embedding the principles of play into team culture, our clients benefit from long-term success. Play isn’t a one-time activity; it’s a mindset that, when adopted, helps organisations thrive in ever-changing business environments.
cOMMUNITY
We’re passionate about creating a positive ripple effect, one that extends far beyond the teams we work with. Play has the power to break down social barriers, foster inclusivity, and build stronger communities. Through our charity team-building programs, where organisations come together not just for team success but to give back we are able spread play beyond our events, directly into local communities. Through in-kind donations, we’re able to promote play among the next generation, helping to foster creativity, teamwork, and joy in children. It’s more than just giving back—it’s about ensuring the power of play continues to make a difference, especially for those who need it most.
PARTNERS
The Play Philosophy is also a powerful tool for our partners. By aligning with us, partners are joining a movement that prioritises people, purpose, and performance. We’re committed to creating partnerships that reflect our values—ones that are built on collaboration, trust, and a shared belief in the power of play.
For our partners, this philosophy represents a strategic advantage. It’s not just about supporting great events; it’s about aligning with a forward-thinking, people-centered approach that delivers real impact.
Join the Play Movement
The Play Philosophy is more than just a framework—it’s a movement, one that we’re incredibly passionate about. We’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of play, and now, we’re inviting you to be part of something bigger.
Our goal is clear: to inspire 1 million people to play by 2030. This isn’t just a number—it’s a commitment to creating lasting, positive change in the way teams work and communities thrive.
So, we invite you to join us on this journey. Whether you’re a client looking to enhance your team’s performance, a partner who shares our belief or an individual simply looking to adopt play in your everyday life, there’s a role for you in this movement. Together, we can build a future where play is recognised as an essential ingredient for thriving teams and a better society.
Let’s play, succeed, and make an impact—together.
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