The Venny Inc

The Venny specialises in running construction/junkyard style playgrounds known as adventure playgrounds. Located on and next to public housing estates we are a free supervised backyard for children living in public housing and the broader community.

The Venny has been successfully running the Kensington Adventure Playground since it was established in 1981 and the Fitzroy Adventure Playground, affectionately known as Cubbies, since 2023. We also run a mobile pop-up version, with our van full of “loose parts” known as The Venny To You at North Melbourne and Flemington housing estates.

Play is at the heart of what we do. We have been providing risk-taking play opportunities and developing our own practice for over 40 years. Our practice is based on play work principles and our staff are play workers. Play is our daily practice.

We are a trusted organisation with an excellent reputation for delivering child-centred, culturally safe and sensitive play experiences for children and young people aged 5 – 16. We use community development; trauma informed and play based practices to:
– Reduce inter-generational disadvantage and welfare dependence early in the cycle;
– Encourage and support children to develop life skills and resilience; and
– Build a functioning, vibrant, diverse and connected community, bridging socio-economic and cultural divides.

Our purpose is to directly facilitate the inclusion of disadvantaged children into society.

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