I am co founder and director of a play design + build non profit creating “Sanctuaries for Imagination”  Co-founder of a charity creating an adventure playground in Halabja, Kurdistan.  Lecturer in play theory, risk, challenge  and self build adventure playgrounds.  Creation of ecological playgrounds that mitigate the effects of climate change on childrens access to play.  Teacher of carpentry, mosaic, willow and sculpture. Consultant on maximising access to play in urban environments to planners and architects.

Play, Neuroplasticity and the psychedelic mirror

What happens when we play?  Play is fractal in possibilities, and seriously profound.  Through fantasy play  children explore the world with symbolism, ritual, and transformation. Their brain and bodies when immersed in intrinsically motivated play mirrors the experience of perspective shift,  expansiveness, object,  body curiosity and a sense of delight that the psychedelics creates. Play requires risk taking, individually calibrated responses essential for proprioception and sensory maturation.  We become human through play,  and discover both our uniqueness,  and relationship with the earth. Psychedelics can  reconnect us to playfulness, with the diverse numerous benefits to individuals and communities.