https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1d3qcXoxVy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20th March 2026

Full Council Meeting Update – Speaking Up for Our Community 

I attended the Full Council meeting last Wednesday, 18th March 2026, to raise the growing frustration of residents who feel that the Labour-controlled council is not listening to their voices or concerns.

This includes key issues affecting our daily lives, such as Adventure Play Centres, car parking, the expansion of CPZ, and cuts to essential council services impacting residents across Greenwich.

I also want to be open and transparent: I am standing in the upcoming local elections for Plumstead & Glyndon as an Independent Socialist candidate, supported by Your Party, the Nepalese Alliance, and diverse communities across the borough — including faith groups and local business owners.

I am standing because I believe our community deserves to be properly heard, fairly represented, and genuinely respected.

Please see below my speech on the Glyndon petition in the video (follow my Facebook link above) and text.

Good evening, Madam Mayor,
Thank you for the response to our petition submitted on 3 December 2025.
I speak as a carer of an autistic child, a Parent Governor at a specialist school, and on behalf of thousands of residents who have signed to keep Glyndon and other Adventure Play Centres staffed and open.
For many families like mine, this is not just a service — it is a lifeline.
In a borough with no residential school provision for disabled children and young people, very limited respite for carers, and already stretched council support services, centres like Glyndon provide one of the only free, safe, supervised spaces available — particularly for those who need it most.
The Equality Impact Assessment shows that 16% of current users have a recorded disability, significantly higher than the borough average. This clearly demonstrates that the current staffed model is working for vulnerable children and young people.
Yet the decision removes the very thing that makes it work — trained and trusted staff — without providing any like-for-like alternative. For families, this feels like a reduction in support at a time of rising need.
We are seeing more children with EHCPs, rising mental health referrals, and increasing pressure on families due to the cost of living crisis. At the same time, crime and antisocial behaviour are rising locally, including in the Glyndon area.
Removing supervised provision carries real and foreseeable risk.
From my experience — and from what many residents are saying — support services for disabled children and carers are already not where they should be.
The question is simple: can we afford to get this wrong?
Residents are increasingly frustrated, as many feel their concerns and voices are not being heard — whether on play centres, car parking, or the expansion of CPZ.
The Council has to reconsider the decisions.
Thank you.

9th March 2026

🌹 Standing for Change in Greenwich – Local Council Election, 7th May 2026 🌹

Dear friends, neighbours, and community members,

I am standing in the local council election on 7th May as an Independent Socialist and community candidate for Plumstead and Glyndon.

For over 20 years, I have lived in Greenwich with my family, working with diverse communities, supporting community initiatives, campaigning to save Glyndon Adventure Play Centre, supporting Gurkha justice campaigns, and helping to establish the first Nepalese Temple & Community Centre in Plumstead.

I strongly believe that politics should begin with listening to local people from all communities and standing up for our residents. We can achieve a lot when we work together.

Over the coming weeks, I will be campaigning across the ward every Tuesday and Thursday starting next week, speaking directly with residents about the issues that matter most — including housing, community safety, education, youth services, car parking, and protecting local facilities.

👂 I would love to hear your concerns, ideas, and priorities for our community.

If you are free on Tuesdays or Thursdays, please consider joining the campaign. Even a little time helping with conversations, distributing leaflets, or spreading the message can make a big difference.

Together, we can build a stronger and fairer Greenwich that works for all residents.

📅 Election Day: 7 May
📍 Plumstead & Glyndon Ward

Please contact me if you would like to help with the campaign or speak with me about local issues.

🙏 Thank you for your support.

Narendra Kandel
Independent Socialist & Community Candidate
Plumstead and Glyndon Ward

Mob: 07415102310
Email: narenkandel@gmail.com

 

3rd March 2026

I attended the meeting last night and delivered the following speech at the Call-In meeting:

Good Evening 

Chair, councillors,

I am speaking as a parent of an autistic child, a Parent Governor, and the petitioner for Glyndon Adventure Play Centre.

In December, through a Council public question, I asked whether proper safeguarding, equality and crime risk assessments had been carried out before removing supervised staff.

The Equality Impact Assessment shows that 16% of current users have a recorded disability. This is significantly higher than the borough average of around 8–9%.

The report itself states that the current service is engaging disabled young people at a higher rate than the general population.

That tells us the existing staffed model is working for this vulnerable group.

Yet Glyndon and other centres are proposed to become unstaffed.

There is no clear safeguarding transition plan explaining how children and young people — including those with autism and other disabilities — will be supported if supervision is removed.

At the same time, the number of children with EHCPs is rising, CAMHS referrals are increasing, and schools are cutting after-school provision due to funding pressures.

The report says there is no evidence that Adventure Play Centres reduce crime. I am not suggesting they alone determine crime levels. But there is also no evidence showing that removing supervision will not increase risk.

At the recent Glyndon Neighbourhood Panel meeting, residents raised serious concerns about antisocial behaviour, grooming risks, drugs, and the loss of trusted adult presence. Many feel stakeholder concerns — including from the police — were not fully or transparently addressed.

In a borough facing rising mental health referrals, economic hardship, increasing crime, no residential provision for disabled children, and limited respite for parents and carers, removing supervised provision carries real risk.

If this service is currently reaching disabled children at higher-than-average rates, we must be certain we are not reducing access for those who need it most under the proposed new model.

When we change services that vulnerable children rely on, the question is not whether we can afford to keep them — it is whether we can afford the risk of getting it wrong. Therefore we must save Adventure Play Centres.

Thank you.

 

27th February 2026

Update: Save Glyndon Adventure Play Centre 

Dear supporters,

I wanted to keep you informed — I have formally emailed Committee Services to request to speak at the upcoming call-in meeting on Monday 2 March regarding the decision on our Adventure Play Centres.

I am currently waiting for approval and confirmation.

If approved, I will raise our concerns about safeguarding, inclusion, the impact on autistic and disabled children and young people, and the wider risks to our community if supervised provision is removed.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us. I will update you as soon as I receive confirmation.

Glyndon matters. Our children matter. ✊

Kind regards,

Narendra Kandel
Lead Campaigner – Save Glyndon Adventure Play Centre
Parent Governor | Carer | Community Advocate
Royal Borough of Greenwich

Email: narenkandel@gmail.com

Mob: 07415102310

29th January 2026

Update on Glyndon Adventure Play Centre – and what I am considering next

Dear friends and supporters,

Thank you, once again, for standing with us to protect Glyndon Adventure Play Centre and other supervised Adventure Play Centres across Greenwich. Your signatures, messages, time, financial contributions, and determination have been powerful, and I am deeply grateful.

I am writing to update you on the Council’s most recent Cabinet decision — and to be honest about why it has left me disappointed and concerned.

What the Council decided
On 28 January 2026, Greenwich Council’s Cabinet approved a new youth services model called “NextGen Greenwich”, following the Re-Imagining Young Greenwich consultation.

While the Council acknowledges engagement with young people and families, the decision does not protect or guarantee the future of fully staffed, supervised Adventure Play Centres, including Glyndon. Instead, it leaves open the possibility of centres being downgraded, repurposed, or replaced.

This decision was taken despite thousands of residents signing petitions, raising concerns through consultations, public questions, protests, and meetings. The strength and consistency of community opposition has not been reflected in the final outcome. The council had also given "insufficient weight" to evidence presented by the Met Police's Neighbourhood Superintendent for Greenwich, Play England, London Play, The Playwork Foundation and Fair Play for Children, all of whom expressed concern about the removal of supervised play.

Why I am disappointed

I am disappointed because I believe strongly that:

• Supervised Adventure Play Centres cannot be replaced by generic youth hubs or unstaffed spaces
• There is still no clear safeguarding, equality, or crime-risk assurance explaining how vulnerable children and young people — particularly autistic and disabled children — will be protected if staffed provision is removed. These facilities should be expanded, not reduced, to support better physical and mental health and help prevent social isolation and youth crime
• The voices of families and communities, expressed clearly and repeatedly, have not been meaningfully acted upon
  Too often, decisions affecting our most deprived neighbourhoods feel pre-determined, even when they are presented as consultations
• Glyndon is not just a playground. It is a lifeline — a safe, free, inclusive, staffed space that supports children, families, and the wider community every day.

What I am now considering

After much reflection, I want to share this with you openly.

I have been a Labour Party member for many years. However, I have become increasingly disappointed by how grassroots concerns — particularly those affecting children, families, and vulnerable communities — are being overlooked. I recently resigned my membership because I no longer felt that community voices were being listened to or valued.

As a result, I am considering standing as a councillor candidate for Plumstead Glyndon Ward in the May 2026 local elections—most likely as an Independent Socialist candidate in Greenwich. I am being supported by diverse communities in Plumstead, including the Nepalese Alliance, and by the newly formed Your Party, led by former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, which genuinely believes in investing in children, young people, and essential public services, rather than cutting or selling them off. I am also working to secure the support of the Green Party.

I am taking this step because I genuinely believe in investing in people and public services, not stripping them away.

This is not about ambition or party politics.
It is about values, accountability, and representation.

I believe in:

• Investing in children, young people, older residents, and disabled people
• Protecting essential public services — including play centres, libraries, car parks, green spaces, and community facilities
• Saying no to the sell-off of public land for densely packed, unaffordable high-rise apartments
• Ensuring that any development happens alongside proper infrastructure — SEND provision, schools, GP services, transport, parking, green spaces, and safe places for children and young people to play

When communities repeatedly speak up — across five Adventure Play Centres — and are still ignored, it raises a serious question:

Who is local government or council meant to serve?

A final thank you — and an invitation

In the coming weeks, I will be reaching out to listen — to hear your views, ideas, and hopes for Plumstead Glyndon ward. If I do move forward, I will also ask, humbly, for your support and involvement.

Whatever happens next, please know this:

Your voices matter. Plumstead Glyndon matter. And this campaign is not over.

Thank you for standing with our children, young people, and our community.

With gratitude and determination,

Narendra Kandel
Lead Campaigner – Save Glyndon Adventure Play Centre
Parent Governor | Carer | Community Advocate
Royal Borough of Greenwich

Email: narenkandel@gmail.com

Mob: 07415102310

✊ SHOW UP & BE HEARD – JOIN THE PROTEST
🗓 Council Meeting: Wednesday, 28th January 2026 – 7:00pm
📍 Peaceful Protest: 6:15pm outside the Council Town Hall

 

Let’s stand together and protect the future of our children’s play spaces before it's too late. 🌳💛✊

From: Narendra Kandel <narenkandel@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2026 at 12:54
Subject: Request to Pause and Reconsider Adventure Play Centre Proposals – Cabinet Meeting 28 January
To: <adel.khaireh@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>

Dear Cllr Adel Khaireh,

I hope you are well. I am writing ahead of the Cabinet meeting on 28 January to respectfully ask you to pause and reconsider the proposals affecting Greenwich’s Adventure Play Centres.

My name is Narendra Kandel. I am a carer and the parent of two autistic children. I volunteer as a Parent Governor at a special education school in Greenwich and I am also a member of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Autism Partnership Board, alongside my involvement in wider community initiatives.

As a parent of two autistic children who have attended schools near these Adventure Play Centres, I have seen first-hand how essential these spaces are. They are not simply playgrounds. They are unique, open-access, staffed environmentswhere trained playworkers provide safeguarding, consistency, encouragement, emotional support and—during school holidays—free meals. For many families, particularly those with disabled children, these centres fill a gap that no other service currently does.

According to the Council’s own consultation documents, four out of five Adventure Play Centres are at risk of losing their 30-hours-per-week staffed provision, with Woolwich potentially facing full closure. This would leave only one fully operational staffed adventure play site across the entire borough.

This represents a significant loss of dedicated, supervised, open-access adventure play, which families and play experts have repeatedly stated is not the same as unstaffed provision or general youth spaces. These proposals would remove some of the only free, accessible, inclusive, and supervised outdoor play spaces available to children and young people in Greenwich.

This is particularly concerning given the Council’s stated commitments—through the Autism Partnership Board and wider strategies—to improving inclusion, safety and support for autistic and disabled residents. As they currently stand, the proposals appear to run counter to those commitments.

Like many families, mine relies on these centres. They are among the few places where autistic and disabled children can play confidently and safely, supported by trusted adults. Removing or downgrading this provision would have a serious and lasting impact on children’s wellbeing, social development and inclusion. At a time of growing need, increasing population density and ongoing cost-of-living pressures, this feels out of step with both local need and national direction. We should be investing in these spaces, not dismantling them.

In addition, I launched an online petition to Save Glyndon Adventure Play Centre a couple of months ago, which has already received 465 verified signatures. This demonstrates the depth of concern across the community and the strength of feeling about the loss of staffed adventure play at Glyndon and across the borough more widely.

I therefore urge you to support a pause in the proposals, to allow for meaningful engagement with children, families and play experts, and for proper consideration of the long-term consequences, before any irreversible decisions are taken.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Warm regards,
Narendra Kandel
Parent Governor, Charlton Park Academy
Lead Campaigner – Save Greenwich Adventure Play Centres
Member, Royal Borough of Greenwich Autism Partnership Board

COUNCIL

03 December 2025

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Question from Narendra Kandel, SE7, to Councillor Sandra

Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture & Communities

The consultation survey does not allow residents to reject the proposals or

suggest alternatives that retain full staffing at the play centres. Has the

decision to remove trained, supervised staff already been made?

Reply –

I thank Narendra Kandel for their question.

No decisions have been made. The Council is currently consulting on

proposals in relation to Adventure Play Centres in the borough. The

consultation is scheduled to run until 14th December .to give residents the

opportunity to fully participate. Thereafter the Council will consider all

feedback received and analyse the data before refining the proposal and

deciding which will be taken forward and how they will be taken forward.

All residents can provide feedback and input and make their views known in

relation to the proposals via:

https://adventure-play-centres.commonplace.is/

The consultation pack outlines the proposals for each site. No final decisions

have been made on supervised staff. The surveys for each Adventure Play

Centre all have the following questions with an open text box for you to put

your views;

• What impact will the proposal have on you?

• Any other comments, ideas or suggestions you’d like to share?

The consultation surveys also give people the opportunity to agree or

disagree with each of the questions that are posed.

To assist you in giving us your feedback, we have also compiled Have Your

Say Today - Frequently Asked Questions: Adventure Play Centres -

Adventure Play Centres which you may find useful.

ITEM NO: 9

Page 2920 COUNCIL

03 December 2025

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Question from Narendra Kandel, SE7, to Councillor Sandra

Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture & Communities

No Equalities Impact Assessment, Safeguarding Review or Crime Risk

Assessment has been published to explain how the removal of trained staff

will meet the needs of autistic and disabled children and young people. With

after-school clubs and respite services already reduced due to school

funding cuts, Adventure Play Centres are one of the few accessible, free and

safe spaces left. What assessments — if any — were carried out to support

this proposal, and when will those assessments be made available to the

public?

Reply –

I thank Narendra Kandel for their question.

As you rightly say, the Council is currently consulting on proposals in relation

to Adventure Play Centres in the borough. The consultation is scheduled to

run until 14th December.to give residents the opportunity to fully participate.

Thereafter the Council will consider all feedback received and analyse the

data before refining the proposal and deciding which will be taken forward

and how they will be taken forward. An Equality Impact Assessment will form

part of the decision-making process All residents can provide feedback and

input and make their views known in relation to the proposals via:

https://adventure-play-centres.commonplace.is/

To assist you in giving us your feedback, we have also compiled Have Your

Say Today - Frequently Asked Questions: Adventure Play Centres -

Adventure Play Centres which you may find useful.

The Council has made significant investment into supervised youth provision,

this includes our wider Young Greenwich Offer, which we recently consulted

on. Over 70 activities funded by the Council run across the Borough every

week providing children with supervised positive activities ranging from those

within our Youth Hubs with qualified youth workers to dance and football

sessions. You can find out more about the range of activities taking place in

ITEM NO: 9

Page 30the borough at on our Greenwich Community Directory

https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families

From: Siobhan Hobin <Siobhan.Hobin@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2025 at 18:20
Subject: December Council Questions
To: Siobhan Hobin <Siobhan.Hobin@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>

 

The Answers to Public Questions have been published and can be accessed via the link below, under item 9 – Public Questions

 

Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025, 7.00 pm | Royal Borough of Greenwich

 

If you are attending and intend to ask a supplementary question please note:-

 

Under the Council’s Constitution Part 4, A1.26 a “MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES WILL BE ALLOWED” for the Public Questions item.

 

The Mayor will proceed through the questions in the order that they were received, which is as they are numbered.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Under the Council’s Constitution Part 4, A1.33 “the person who submitted the question may ask one supplementary question for clarification purposes only”. This means a point of clarification on the written response received and must not be a separate question on the same, related or different matter.

 

There is no need to read out your submitted question as councillors will have seen it and the written response you have been provided with. 

 

The Mayor will not permit statements or speeches as this takes time from the 30 minutes allocated for public questions and that might mean other questioners losing the ability to put a supplementary question. Please make your supplementary question as concise as possible. 

 

Regards

 

 

Siobhan Hobin

Committee Services Officer

Corporate Governance

Legal and Democratic Services

Royal Borough of Greenwich

 

Tel: 020 8921 5035

Town Hall, Wellington Street, London, SE18 6PW
www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk

From: Siobhan Hobin <Siobhan.Hobin@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2025 at 18:12
Subject: Council Question on Adventure Play Centres
To: Siobhan Hobin <Siobhan.Hobin@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>

 

Email sent on behalf of Cllr Sandra Bauer.

 

 

I understand that you have submitted questions to upcoming Full Council regarding Adventure Play Centres.

 

You may not be aware, that proposals are currently out to consultation. On the basis of advice from the Council's legal department it would not be appropriate to respond in detail to your questions so as not to prejudice the consultation process. 

 

As such I want to apologise as you will not receive a substantive answer to your written or any linked supplementary question at Full Council. However, residents will receive an update once the outcome of the consultation is known. 

 

I wanted to let you know this in advance as I would not want you to have made the journey to the Town Hall in the hope of asking a supplementary only to then be disappointed if you do not receive a detailed response. 

 

I appreciate that this update may be disappointing, but I think it is important to be clear and transparent, and I want to assure you that we will seek to provide and update and answers to your questions as appropriate once the consultation process has been concluded. 

 

 

Kind Regards 

 

Councillor Sandra Bauer

Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture & Communities

Town Hall, Wellington Street, London, SE18 6PW
www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk

 

From: Narendra Kandel <narenkandel@gmail.com>
Sent: 25 November 2025 23:00
To: committees <Committees@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>
Subject: Public Questions Submission for Full Council – 3 December 2025
 

 
Some people who received this message don't often get email from narenkandel@gmail.com. Learn why this is important
 
Dear Committee Services Team,

Please find below my two public questions for the Full Council Meeting scheduled forWednesday, 3 December 2025, in accordance with the council’s public question guidelines.

Full Name: Narendra Kandel

Address: 

Telephone Number: 07415102310

Email: narenkandel@gmail.com

Number of Questions Submitted: 2

Public Question 1
The consultation survey does not allow residents to reject the proposals or suggest alternatives that retain full staffing at the play centres. Has the decision to remove trained, supervised staff already been made?  
Public Question 2
No Equalities Impact Assessment, Safeguarding Review or Crime Risk Assessment has been published to explain how the removal of trained staff will meet the needs of autistic and disabled children and young people. With after-school clubs and respite services already reduced due to school funding cuts, Adventure Play Centres are one of the few accessible, free and safe spaces left. What assessments — if any — were carried out to support this proposal, and when will those assessments be made available to the public?  
I confirm that these questions are submitted within the required deadline and in line with council guidance.
Please confirm receipt.

Kind regards,
Narendra Kandel
narenkandel@gmail.com

From: Narendra Kandel <narenkandel@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2025 at 18:36
Subject: Re: Petition Presented to Council 3 December 2025
To: Siobhan Hobin <Siobhan.Hobin@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>
Cc: Sandra Thomas <Sandra.Thomas@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>

 

Dear Siobhan,

Thank you very much for your email and for the update regarding the petition, “Save Glyndon Adventure Play Centre – Our Children’s Future Depends On It!”

I look forward to receiving the published report once available and welcome the opportunity to attend and speak at the Council meeting when the response to the petition is presented.

Thank you once again for your support and clear communication.

Warm regards,
Narendra Kandel 

 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Narendra Kandel <narenkandel@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2025 at 18:39
Subject: Re: Petition Presented to Council 3 December 2025
To: Siobhan Hobin <Siobhan.Hobin@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>
Cc: Sandra Thomas <Sandra.Thomas@royalgreenwich.gov.uk>

 

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Councillor Sandra Thomas for kindly presenting the petition on our behalf at the Council meeting.
Regards 
Narendra 
On Thu, 4 Dec 2025 at 14:51, Siobhan Hobin <Siobhan.Hobin@royalgreenwich.gov.uk> wrote:

Dear Narendra,

 

Petition Presented to Council 3 December 2025

 

“Save Glyndon Adventure Play Centre – Our Children’s Future Depends On It!.”

 

I am emailing to acknowledge receipt of the petition presented to the above Council meeting by Councillor Sandra Thomas.

 

The petition has been referred to the relevant Directorate for investigation and a response to your petition will be submitted to a future Council meeting, which is expected to be 18 March 2026.  This is because the meeting in February is a Special Council meeting which will only consider budget items.

 

You will receive a link to the published report when available, and you will also be invited to attend and speak at the Council meeting at which the response to your petition is presented.

 

If you have any queries or questions on this process please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Regards

 

 

Siobhan Hobin

Committee Services Officer

Corporate Governance

Legal and Democratic Services

Royal Borough of Greenwich

 

Tel: 020 8921 5035

Town Hall, Wellington Street, London, SE18 6PW
www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk

 

🚨 URGENT – LAST OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE GLYNDON AND OTHER ADVENTURE PLAY CENTRES! 💔

Our children are on the verge of losing their much-loved, supervised Adventure Play Centres — safe, free, creative spaces where they play, learn, grow and feel supported.

This is our final chance to speak up before Greenwich Council makes its decision in January.

🔥 The consultation closes on 14 December.
If we don’t act now, these centres may close permanently.

👉 Fill in the consultation here:

https://adventure-play-centres.commonplace.is

Every voice matters. PLEASE take few minutes — it could save our play centres.

🌳💛 Our children are counting on us.

🗣 IN-PERSON CONSULTATION SESSIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY!

📍 Glyndon Adventure Play Centre

Thurs 4 Dec: 3.30pm – 5pm
Weds 10 Dec: 3.30pm – 5pm
Sat 13 Dec: 1.45pm – 3pm

Please encourage particularly young people, parents, neighbours, and friends to attend.
These sessions are for YOU — your voice will directly influence the final outcome.

✊ SHOW UP & BE HEARD – JOIN THE PROTEST
🗓 Council Meeting: Wednesday, 3 December 2025 – 7:00pm
📍 Peaceful Protest: 6:15pm outside the Council

Let’s stand together and protect the future of our children’s play spaces before it's too late. 🌳💛✊

Save Glyndon Adventure Play Centre – Our Children’s Future Depends On It!
Glyndon Adventure Play Centre is one of the most important safe spaces for children and young people in Plumstead, Glyndon and Woolwich.

As a parent of two autistic children—who attended schools and live close to these adventure play centres—I have seen first-hand how vital these spaces are for local families.

For many children, especially those with additional needs, these centres provide one of the very few safe, supervised, accessible, and free indoor and outdoor play environments. They offer structured support, social connection, and emotional development opportunities that many after-school clubs, due to limited funding, simply cannot match. The trained playworkers provide continuity, safeguarding, and inclusive support that children and parents rely on.

However, according to the public consultation documents, four of the five Adventure Play Centres—Coldharbour, Glyndon, Meridian, and Woolwich—are at risk of losing their staffed 30-hours-per-week service, and Woolwich faces potential closure altogether. These proposals would eliminate some of the borough’s only accessible supervised play environments at the same time that Greenwich Council is aiming to improve services for autistic and other neurodivergent or disabled children and young people—yet without providing any like-for-like alternative.

We, the residents of Greenwich, say clearly: Glyndon Adventure Play Centre must stay open.

Greenwich Council has now approved a 4-week public consultation from 17 Nov to 14 Dec 2025 on the future of all five Adventure Play Centres. This is our opportunity to shape the final decision before it goes to Cabinet in January 2026.

Why We Oppose the New Proposal for Glyndon Adventure Play Centre?

We oppose the Council’s proposal for Glyndon Adventure Play Centre because it would remove one of the only free, supervised, safe, and inclusive play environments available to children and young people in Plumstead, Glyndon and Woolwich.

The proposal would end the 30-hours-per-week staffed service and close the building, leaving only an unstaffed space — a decision that would seriously harm local children.

1. Glyndon provides essential safeguarding and support

Glyndon is not just a playground — it is a staffed, supervised, youth-work setting where trained playworkers support children’s safety, wellbeing, confidence and emotional regulation.
Young people describe Glyndon as their “second home,” a place where they “feel safe,” supported, understood and included. Removing staff removes the heart of the service.

2. It disproportionately affects children with SEND and vulnerable families

Glyndon is one of the few places where children with additional needs receive: calm and structured support, accessible indoor and outdoor play, help from trained staff who know how to support neurodivergent and disabled children & a safe place to socialise without judgement

Without staff, these children would lose one of their only accessible community spaces.

3. It removes a vital lifeline during the cost-of-living crisis

For families who cannot afford clubs or paid activities, Glyndon provides: free after-school and holiday play, supervised activities, warm indoor space & trusted adults who offer early help.

The proposal removes all of this, with no like-for-like alternative.

4. The closure will increase risk, isolation and long-term harm

Research shows that closing youth spaces leads to: higher youth crime, worse GCSE results & increased social costs for councils later on.
Removing supervision exposes children to unsafe streets, exploitation, and isolation..

5. The proposed alternatives are not suitable

Turning Glyndon into an unsupervised park is not a replacement. It removes: safeguarding, trusted adults, structured activities, inclusive and SEND-friendly spaces & the indoor environment where so many children rely on support

No other site offers the same accessibility, centrality, or community value.

You can take part by:

Completing the consultation survey — online by following the link below

https://adventure-play-centres.commonplace.is

Attending face-to-face consultation events at the Adventure Play Centres and community venues

Speaking directly with the consultation teams during walkabouts, local sessions, and school/community visits

Sharing the consultation with family, neighbours, and local parents

Encouraging young people to complete the survey — their voice is crucial and will directly influence the outcome

Show up & be heard:

Council meeting: Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025 7.00 pm

Peaceful protest: 6:30pm outside the Council

Why Glyndon Adventure Playground Is Essential
Glyndon provides free, safe, inclusive activities for children aged 6–16, including:

Indoor Facilities (Rain or Shine)
Arts & crafts
Pool table & table tennis
Board games
Quiet homework area with computers
Warm indoor play supervised by trained staff

Outdoor Facilities
The well-loved “Alien” climbing frame
Football pitch
Basketball court
Garden & small climbing frame
Free open space for active play

Activities and Support
Football and basketball sessions
Table tennis
Creative arts

Safe supervised play for children of all abilities

Disabled access ensuring full inclusion

Trusted youth workers offering guidance, care and early help

Why Closing Glyndon Would Be Devastating
Glyndon is a lifeline for many families who have no other safe or affordable place for their children to play.

We Demand:
✔️ NO closure of Glyndon Adventure Play Centre
✔️ Full protection and investment in youth play services
✔️ A proper consultation that listens to children, parents, and the community
✔️ A future where Greenwich Council protects — not cuts — children’s spaces

Sign this petition to tell Greenwich Council:
➡️ GLYNDON ADVENTURE PLAY CENTRE MUST STAY OPEN.

Protect Glyndon. Protect their childhoods. Protect our community.

✍️ Please add your name — and share widely.