The More Ball Games campaign advocates for reclaiming public spaces for young people and urges policymakers to remove obstacles to play and physical activity.
Lambeth Council has adopted the More Ball Games initiative—led by inequality charity London Sport and supported by Saatchi & Saatchi—as part of a broader effort to prioritize children’s rights in its policies.
Earlier this week, the first redesigned sign, featuring a basketball hoop, was unveiled at the Mursell Estate in Stockwell, with support from the London Lions basketball team and the council leader.
The More Ball Games campaign advocates for reclaiming public spaces for young people and urges policymakers to remove obstacles to play and physical activity.
Speaking at the launch, Councillor Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, emphasizing that the council’s child-friendly policy aimed to make children feel welcome in their communities. She noted that ‘No ball games’ signs do not contribute to this goal and instead discourage children from feeling like they belong in their neighborhoods.
Holland highlighted the campaign’s importance in building a child-friendly borough, ensuring that every child has opportunities to play sports, stay active, and engage with their peers. She added that initiatives like this contribute to the council’s vision of making Lambeth the best borough in London for children.
The council has already removed 61 signs from 10 estates without any complaints and has pledged to take down the remaining ones over the next six months.
This effort supports Lambeth’s ambition to become a UNICEF UK Child Friendly Community, ensuring young people have safe and accessible spaces for recreation.
While most signs will be removed, the council will assess locations where safety concerns may justify keeping them. Residents are encouraged to engage with the campaign and help shape a more inclusive environment for children across the borough.
