A discussion about poverty and play for children in Scotland with Professor John Mckendrick from GCU

John's primary research interests are on poverty (with a particular interest on how this impacts children) and children’s play. He told us about his own research when he was a student on lone parents within Strathclyde. John gave a good background about his work at the University for common good, his early years and how his experiences growing up in Ayrshire sparked a love for the outdoors and the environment. John also shared his knowledge about the importance of safe, scattered outdoor spaces for kids to congregate, explore and play within.

There was a good chat about the aim to reduce the levels of child poverty and inequality within Scotland by 2030. We talked over how poverty is measured, why it's important to do that and other social issues were touched on such as the need for additional social housing. The subject of cars within the environment was a theme and how this has a knock on impact on play and safe spaces. John was also a grade 1 referee within Scotland which has seen him officiate at the top level of the national game so, there was a brief chat about this as well of course. 

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