THE OPPORTUNITIES
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
““Scientific research demonstrates that parks play a central role in the prevention and treatment of avoidable ill-health. What has been needed to date is an objective, evidence-based toolkit to assess parks and green spaces against that evidence and to provide clear guidance on community initiatives, improvements and new interventions that can increase the health status of a park.
”We are hoping the free health parks survey will become a central component of our approach to parks here in London, in our aim to use them more and more within primary prevention and to reduce avoidable ill-health in our communities.””
IF WE VALUE IT, WE WILL INVEST IN IT
IF WE FAIL TO INVEST IN IT, WE COULD LOSE IT
The Health Parks initiative has been used by Councils and Charity Groups across the UK for assessments and to support the development of technical reports and green space health strategies. Given the broad range of scientific evidence upon which the model has been based, the initiative also has international application. In addition to demonstrable health benefits for the community, and potential access to funding for parks and green spaces, there are benefits for a range of stakeholders. These include:
National Government and the NHS: Parks and green spaces represent a largely untapped resource within Primary Prevention. Potential reductions in the cost of clinical interventions justify investment in parks and green Spaces for health, and the development of green social prescribing initiatives.
Local Councils: Increasing engagement and funding, reducing long terms costs of Adult and Social Care and Mental Health Services by promoting health and wellbeing, increasing biodiversity, and mitigating the impacts of climate change are among the goals of local councils. Health Parks provides a comprehensive approach to deliver on these aspirations.
Charities, Friends Groups and Local Communities: Parks Audits and Strategies can strengthen the basis for funding bids to improve individual parks, and the health of local communities. In the UK, financial contributions associated with new development (S106 & CIL) can also be used for health promoting projects and services in the local community.
Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Green Social Prescribing: Green social prescribing has been demonstrated to reduce pressure on local GP Surgeries and deliver lasting health benefits to patients. The development of park based green social prescribing network provides opportunities for patients to explore and benefit from the natural environment.
Developers: Refurbishment and New Build: The obligation to create sustainable developments is set by planning guidance and policy. This places an obligation upon developers to proactively create health promoting places and spaces. It has also been found that high quality green space can have a positive impact on house prices, enhance economic value and reduce crime, and that those selecting a new home can be influenced by the quality of local parks and green spaces.
Professionals and Companies: The Health Parks Audits and Strategies provide a basis for better health based design, and identify products and services required by developers, Local Authorities, Parks Managers and Friends Groups to enhance their green spaces for health.
Together these provide significant OPPORTUNITY to develop positive health outcomes for the community.
For more details on the Health Parks initiative, through healthparks@gmail.com or send us a message