Playgrounds across the London Borough of Hounslow have begun to offer more than swings and slides: 14 new communication boards have been installed in public play areas to support children with speech, language and communication needs.
What the boards do
The pictorial boards display symbols and simple words that children can point to during play. They give youngsters an alternative way to:
- express choices or feelings;
- ask for items or activities;
- comment on what they see and share preferences with carers or friends.
Communication boards are already in regular use within local schools, nurseries and family hubs; the new installations extend that support into public outdoor spaces so inclusion is part of everyday community life.
Partners and local visits
The project is a collaboration between West London NHS Trust, Hounslow Council and community group Lampton Greenspace. Maria O'Brien, Chief Executive of West London NHS Trust, visited Lampton Park to see one of the boards for herself and praised the joined-up approach.
"This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared purpose,"
Katharine Long, the local lead for children's speech and language therapy, described the boards as a "simple but powerful tool" to help children connect and participate. Councillor Lily Bath, the council's Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, thanked partners for producing outcomes for Hounslow families.
Practical information for families
Families using borough playgrounds will now find these visual aids already in place; there is no sign-up or referral required. The boards are intended to be used informally by parents, carers and staff to support everyday interactions during play.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Number of boards installed | 14 |
| Main partners | West London NHS Trust, Hounslow Council, Lampton Greenspace |
| Primary aim | Increase communication access and inclusion in public play spaces |
The installations form part of national ambitions to improve communication access for all children, bringing tools commonly used in educational settings into everyday community spaces. For parents and carers, the change means more options to support a child's participation and confidence when playing outdoors with peers.
Local playground users and community groups interested in the initiative or in providing feedback can contact Hounslow Council's parks and families services for further information about locations and future roll-outs.
