About Us

What we do

World at Play uses sport and play to help disadvantaged children and adults in developing parts of the world. Linking local communities and caregivers with international volunteers, we aim to provide children with sport and play opportunities that are long lasting and impactful.

As a UK-based charity with an international focus, we work across cultural and geographical boundaries by training local caregivers and international volunteers who implement activities and drive the sport and development process in the communities we work with.

Where we came from
Founded in 2002, World at Play was based on the idea that sport and play could bring positive benefits to children around the world. The first expedition took place in 2004 sending 12 team members to 5 countries working with over 2000 children.

By involving these children in games and activities, we focused on building confidence through the universal language of play, fostering international understanding through the exchange of games, and leaving a lasting legacy through the training of local leaders and sports equipment donation.

Where we're going
World at Play’s goal is to create lasting benefits in the communities we work with. We do this by offering the best possible sport and play development opportunities to our partners and the youth that they serve.

We don't work in isolation but instead team up with our local partner organisations to develop the best approach to sport and play programming. Each partnership will take on a different look depending on the needs and wants of the community but our focus will remain delivering quality, long-lasting sport and play opportunities. 

Andy de Quidt 25.5.1983 – 20.8.2009

Andy was a World at Play Instructor on the 2006 expedition to Eastern Europe. He was an exceptional instructor and thanks to his big 6ft 3” frame, his fantastic laugh and warm, fun-loving personality, he made a tremendous impact on all the groups and communities he met on the trip.

Andy was loved by all the team. He was the first in the van for the sessions and the last to leave the children and get on the van. He helped the two leaders – Mike and Reg – with every possible task. When morale in Serbia was low on a dark, cold night at the end of an exhausting week, he organized a treasure hunt that brought the team together. It was one of the most memorable evenings on the trip.

Andy was a dear friend and a wonderful man. In 2008 he was diagnosed with cancer and he passed away in the summer of 2009. He is missed by so many and his memory lives on in the work of World at Play. We miss you Andy.