THE TRUSTEES

All trustees are volunteers who give of their time and energy to support the work of Playgrounds for Palestine UK.​

​ROS ARTHUR

I was a Primary School teacher for 20 years and now work in Education Welfare. As a teenager I spent time in Palestine which left a deep and lasting effect on me. I hope to make a small difference to the lives of Palestinian children.
SOPHIE DOWLE
I am a children's social worker. 
​I understand how important it is for children to have access to safe spaces and play opportunities to recover from trauma.  I speak Arabic and have lived in the Middle East and Palestine.

​HENRY BOWLBY​​

I was a Primary School teacher but now work for a playground construction company. I believe in the healing power of play so am pleased to help provide playgrounds to improve Palestinian children's lives.​

JULIAN LEWIS

I am a writer, editor and social entrepreneur. As a parent who has travelled in the Middle East,
​I am inspired by Susan Abulhawa’s vision of playgrounds as ‘a special place and refuge’ for young Palestinians to play.

​LESLEY RAVENSCROFT​​

I was a teacher but now run a small company, specialising in mathematics education. Following a visit to Palestine I read about Playgrounds for Palestine in the USA so got in touch and asked how we could help.

EVIE DICKINSON

I work in Fundraising and Communications for a UK Charity and have been working within the small charity sector for around seven years. I hope to use my skills to boost awareness of Playgrounds for Palestine UK.

SARAH PARKHOUSE​​

I was a lawyer, now retired.
​I became  a supporter of PfPUK after a visit to the Holy Land and very much endorse the way in which it brings opportunities of play to children living in such challenging circumstances.
THE PATRONS

We are honoured that John Pritchard, for many years Bishop of Oxford, is a patron for Playgrounds for Palestine UK, as is William Sutcliffe, well-known author of 'The Wall' (a moving novel about the Israeli/Palestinian divide).


​"What a brilliant initiative! Congratulations to you all on having the determination not just to feel sympathy for Palestinian youngsters growing up in the midst of such conflict but to act on that experience and set up this British branch of a very worthwhile charity.  I love the simplicity of it. It reminds me of the way the International Centre in Bethlehem set up the stained glass workshops with shards of broken glass from the Israeli attack on the town, and the music workshops for children so that they would hear beautiful things and not just the sounds of violence."

​Bishop John


"The experience of visiting the West Bank to research my novel, “The Wall”, had a profound effect on me. I donated part of my royalties from that book to PfP and I’m proud to be able to continue helping this wonderful charity by being a trustee."

William Sutcliffe

More about William ...
THE INSPIRATION

Playgrounds for Palestine UK came about following an article in the Guardian newspaper about Susan Abulhawa, from the States, who founded Playgrounds for Palestine following a visit to Jerusalem.  “Everyone can do something. I never really questioned whether it was my responsibility,” she says, “but a hospital or a school were beyond my reach. A playground seemed manageable. It isn’t changing the world, but it is bringing joy to those who use it.”
The article inspired us to contact them: when we saw this video we felt committed to help in whatever way we could. We are honoured to help raise money to help children in Palestine enjoy their childhood. 

We owe PfP USA our gratitude for the work they do - they organise the logistics, ensuring safety etc. Working with them is a privilege. 
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