LearnPlay Foundation joins TIGA

LearnPlay Foundation is a not for profit organisation with charitable and social objectives. Established in 2007 to further continue the early work pioneered by the founders, they make a positive difference to people’s lives using games and games based technologies to engage, develop, augment  soft & personal skills, raise aspirations and provide hard, soft and accredited learning through innovative delivery methods.  

LearnPlay Foundation programmes support schools, communities and alternative education establishments with their engagement, learning and developmental needs. Using games such as Little Big Planet on the PS3 they deliver schools programmes which focus on curriculum enrichment, boosting Maths & English SATs results as well as Enterprise & Creativity.

Within the community, they run a number of successful programmes which centre around issues such as Guns, Gangs & Knife crime, bullying, antisocial behaviour, crime prevention and confidence in addition to the prolific work undertaken with those not in education, employment or training (NEET's) using Games Based Learning.

The impact of their programmes are astounding.  In an average 5 hour intervention with primary school children using Little Big Planet to boost maths, LPF are taking the children from 69% to 89% on track for their SATS . They have also worked with over 5000 young people not in education or employment over the last 12 months using games based learning to develop their confidence & personal skills and provide positive pathways to further learning or employment with recognised accreditation.

Ro Hands, MD & Legal Counsel, explains the charity's reasons for joining TIGA: “TIGA are an invaluable supporter, advocate and resource for the games & games development community in the UK. Of equal importance, is their understanding of the power of games & games based learning and what this can do to bring about changes in society. We are delighted & honoured that TIGA have nominated us as their chosen charity and look forward to working closely with them to help promote games in a positive way.”

Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO stated: “TIGA firmly believes that video games can be a force for good from an economic, social and educational perspective. The LearnPlay Foundation’s inspiring work with young people demonstrates how video games can be used in a positive way, whether in improving educational results, tackling antisocial behaviour or building confidence. TIGA is proud to be supporting The LearnPlay Foundation and to select it as our chosen charitable organisation.”

Tom Watson, the MP for West Bromwich East and Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Computer and Video Games Group, said:

“ LearnPlay Foundation is a great example of how video games can positively influence the educational and social outcomes for young people. It’s fantastic to see a West Midlands charity supporting young people through innovative methods and I’m delighted that TIGA have selected them as their chosen charity.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

About TIGA:

TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership. TIGA was awarded ‘Trade Association of the Year’ and the ‘Member Recruitment Award’ at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2010. TIGA has also been named as a finalist in the 2010 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) National Management and Leadership Awards in the category of ‘The Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award (SME)’. TIGA is an ‘Investors in People’ accredited organisation.

TIGA's vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business.  We focus on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members.  This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.

For further information, please contact Richard Wilson - richard.wilson@tiga.org