Children’s Active Play Fund
Rethink Ireland backs eight organisations creating more opportunities for children to play, move and connect
What is the Children’s Active Play Fund?
The Children’s Active Play Fund is a three year fund aimed at supporting children and young people across Ireland get active, stay healthy, and have fun.
This €1.5 million fund is created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with the Sunflower Charitable Foundation and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht via the Dormant Accounts Fund.
The fund is open to charitable organisations delivering innovative projects that encourage movement, activity and social connections, making it easier and more enjoyable for young people to lead active lives.
The fund offers a package of cash grants and non-financial supports for up to eight projects to help them expand and increase their social impact.
Awardees
Irish Heart Foundation
The Irish Heart Foundation works to prevent heart disease and stroke while supporting people living with these life-changing conditions. The Healthy Hearts for Life project works in primary schools to encourage children to build lifelong healthy habits through a range of inclusive, movement-based programmes and resources including the Let’s Get Active Challenge, Action for Life and Bizzy Breaks. These movement-based initiatives promotes physical activity, health literacy, and overall wellbeing. Funding from the Children’s Active Play Fund will enable the programme to reach over 100,000 children across Ireland, reaching more schools, including DEIS and rural schools. By making active play more accessible and engaging, the programme aims to improve children’s physical health, wellbeing, and lifelong understanding of healthy lifestyles.
Irish Foster Care
The Irish Foster Care Association is the national organisation supporting foster families and promoting excellence in foster care across Ireland. The Meeting the Sensorimotor Needs of At-Risk Babies and Toddlers programme uses active play to strengthen early childhood development, attachment, and emotional regulation for babies and toddlers in the care system. Support from the Children’s Active Play Fund will enable the programme to reach over 100 children aged 0–3 and their caregivers through community-based groups and train practitioners to deliver the approach.
An Taisce
An Taisce, The National Trust for Ireland, works to preserve and protect Ireland’s natural and built heritage. The Green-Schools’ #AndSheCycles Ambassadors programme empowers teenage girls to build confidence in cycling and lead positive change in their schools and communities. Through leadership training, cycling events, mentoring, and school-based initiatives, the programme challenges gender stereotypes and addresses barriers that prevent girls from cycling. This funding will enable the programme to engage more than 200 students, expand into new regions, and build stronger community partnerships. By increasing girls’ confidence, independence, and participation in cycling, the project promotes healthier lifestyles, greater gender equality, and more sustainable communities.
Neurodiversity Ireland
Neurodiversity Ireland celebrates neurodiversity and works to build inclusive communities where neurodivergent children and their families feel understood, supported, and empowered. The Active Play Groups provide affirming play sessions tailored to each child’s communication style, sensory needs, and play preferences. This creates safe and inclusive opportunities for active play and social connection with the support of an occupational therapist. Funding from the Children’s Active Play Fund will enable the programme to support up to 400 children each week, expanding access to more families across Ireland. The investment will also strengthen the organisation’s long-term sustainability, ensuring more neurodivergent children can benefit from inclusive play opportunities in the future.
ChildVision
ChildVision is Ireland’s only dedicated national service for children with visual impairment and additional disabilities, supporting children and young people to reach their full potential through specialist education, therapy and care. It’s Together We Play programme provides inclusive Play Therapy and active play opportunities for children with visual impairments and co-occurring disabilities, helping them build emotional resilience, confidence, and social skills while reducing isolation. With the support of the Children’s Active Play Fund, ChildVision will employ their first full-time Play Therapist, providing access to one-to-one therapeutic play to children, alongside inclusive summer programmes and sibling workshops. The investment will also be developing training for community organisations to create more inclusive play environments.
Children in Hospital Ireland
Children in Hospital Ireland is a national charity dedicated to ensuring that children have positive experiences in hospital. Its Volunteer-Led Active Play Programme brings joy, emotional support and a sense of normalcy to children in healthcare settings, helping to reduce anxiety, support wellbeing, and encourage healthy development through play. Funding from the Children’s Active Play Fund will enable the programme to reach over 50,000 children, grow its volunteer network, expand services to additional hospitals, and strengthen volunteer training and evaluation. The investment will also support preparations for the new children’s hospital, ensuring more children and families can benefit from high-quality play experiences during hospital stays.
The Children’s Grief Centre
The Children’s Grief Centre provides specialised support to children and young people affected by bereavement, parental separation, and divorce, helping them navigate grief in a safe and supportive environment. The Support for Children Navigating Grief programme uses play-based, creative, and child-led approaches to help children express emotions, build resilience, and improve their emotional wellbeing. The Support of the Children’s Active Play Fund will expand access to one-to-one play-centred support and strengthen outreach services for children who face barriers to attending the centre, including those in disadvantaged communities. By ensuring more children can access specialist grief support through play, the project aims to reduce the long-term emotional impacts of loss and help children build healthy coping skills.
Vita House
Vita House Family Centre supports children, young people, and families to reach their full potential through a range of community-based services. Its Roscommon Young Carers project provides children and young people with caring responsibilities a safe space to take a break by engaging in outdoor adventures, sport, creative play, peer support, and mentoring. The Children’s Active Play Fund will support the project to reach more young carers with access to regular opportunities for active play, social connection, and wellbeing support. This will help to reduce isolation, build resilience, and improve mental health. By giving young carers the chance to enjoy childhood and connect with their peers, the project fosters confidence, belonging, and healthier outcomes for some of Ireland’s most hidden young people.
