To mark COP26 we have done a round-up of some of the strategic work these councils are doing that also responds to the challenges of climate change.

Seeing streets, verges and parks blossom with wildflowers brings a beautiful simplicity to the beating heart of any city. But creating these spaces is far from simple, as those of us working in or alongside Local Authorities know. Here is a peek into Plymouth City Council’s (PCC) approach to accelerating this change.

Our aim is to ensure parks are inclusive, attractive and accessible for all, reaching those with the greatest needs. We are working to maximise the role our parks can play in addressing health inequalities: in particular looking the prevention of ill health, early intervention and promotion of wellbeing.

Unlike traditional forests, community forests are not geographically restricted to one place. Instead, they are spread out across a mix of community woodland, private woodland, on street, urban woodland, wooded habitat corridors, orchards, and hedgerows.

One of the pillars of the Future Parks Accelerator programme is the support we provide to the places in the Cohort – alongside grant funding, a peer network, shared endeavour, testing and learning together. 

We've come a LONG way in the two years since the official launch of the programme.

Nottingham’s FPA project is piloting Green Social Prescribing in the city. Sophia Beswick tells us more.

This week is Love Parks Week - a celebration of all things parks which seems entirely apt as parks have never been more important. In fact, this last year has shown us just how vital parks are

Parks are a crucial part of the urban infrastructure for health provision and provide the context for residents to make healthier decisions by default​.

Parks for Health is a major programme to transform the parks and green spaces in Camden & Islington for now and future generations. Our parks will change from being passive enablers of physical and mental health outcomes to places that have a central role in reducing health inequalities, increasing social cohesion, reducing social isolation, increasing physical health, mental health and well-being.