PACE was started in 2011 by a group of local parents and experts in the play sector. Today, we are one of Camden’s largest play providers, supporting hundreds of children, young people, and families every year. From the very beginning, our mission has been clear: to provide inclusive play opportunities and promote the well-being and social inclusion of all children, regardless of disability or family circumstances.
Growing to meet the needs of our community
In 2012, we opened our first playcentres at Fairfield (Camden Town), Fortune Green, and Kilburn Park, creating safe, welcoming spaces for school-aged children to play, explore, and connect. As demand grew, so did we:
- 2014: Launched our Fairfield Pre-school and Overnights Short Break service for children with disabilities.
- 2015: Established our Mentoring service for young people at risk of school exclusion.
- 2016: Introduced Fortune Green Pre-school and the Play and Care service, which provides specialist support for children with disabilities.
- 2017: Developed the Positive Behaviour Support programme to help young people with challenging behaviours or complex communication needs engage in meaningful activities in the community.
- 2019: Welcomed Camden Square Playcentre into the PACE family.
- 2020: Provided emergency play services for keyworkers’ children and referred children during the COVID lockdown.
- 2021: Started delivering the Holiday Activities and Food Programme alongside 7 other play providers.
- 2022: Launched the Rebuilding Bridges mentoring programme and GetActive @ The Green Short Breaks service, expanding our reach even further.
- 2024: Added Baby Room to Fairfield Pre-school.
- 2025: Introduced the Youth Connection Pathways programme for children who need support with attending school, social interaction and building positive peer relationships.
PACE today
Now, PACE offers a wide range of inclusive play and early years services, as well as specialist support for children with disabilities and young people having difficulties in mainstream education. Starting with just 25 staff in 2013, we’ve grown our team to over 120 dedicated professionals—all working together to bring our vision to life: a world where every child has a healthy, happy childhood and a resilient, supportive family.
Despite our growth, we remain deeply connected to our grassroots beginnings, working closely with local communities to ensure every child has the opportunity to play, learn, and thrive. And we’re just getting started!