UK Government Needs to Address the Alarming Play Deficit, According to Charity's Urgent Alert
In a bid to secure a brighter future for the nation's children, Paul Lindley OBE, the founder of Ella's Kitchen and a renowned children's campaigner, has urged the next government to prioritize preserving playgrounds for young people. This call to action comes as the "A Better Future For Parks and Green Spaces" Manifesto, which outlines a series of asks aimed at delivering a future that parks, people, and nature deserve, gains traction.
The importance of playgrounds and outdoor play is evident, with research suggesting that they are linked to physical health, mental health, and combating chronic stress. Unfortunately, approximately 35% of 10- and 11-year-olds in England are overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk for serious health implications later in life. The lack of playgrounds exacerbates this issue, reducing opportunities for children to meet recommended daily activity targets.
Current policies and proposed solutions in Britain are focusing on upgrading existing playgrounds and improving access to safe green spaces. Local initiatives, like the Pelham Beach Playground renewal project in Hastings, are leading the way, undertaking refurbishments to enhance facilities. Similarly, local authorities are securing recognitions such as the Green Flag Award for well-maintained parks, highlighting their efforts to preserve and improve public green spaces that can function as play areas for children.
Fields in Trust, an organisation that advocates for protecting existing playing fields and green spaces, has historically recommended legal protection, increased investment and funding for upgrading playground equipment, community engagement initiatives, and partnerships between local councils, charities, and private sponsors as solutions. These recommendations align with the ongoing dialogue to incorporate Fields in Trust's principles, which emphasize safeguarding green spaces from erosion due to urban development pressures.
However, despite the critical role green and blue spaces play in long-term health and wellbeing, Britain is failing to meet the needs of children. A staggering 2.3 million children under the age of nine live more than a ten-minute walk from their nearest playground, and nearly 800 playgrounds have faced closure since 2013.
Helen Griffiths, chief executive of Fields in Trust, has called for every political party to put children's access to play at the top of their election pledges. She introduced the "A Better Future For Parks and Green Spaces" Manifesto, which outlines concerns for children's health, wellbeing, and physical activity levels. Dr William Bird MBE, CEO and founder of Intelligent Health and a general practitioner, echoes this sentiment, stating that children who are given the freedom to play and connect with nature will grow up to be more robust and resilient adults.
The upcoming General Election presents an opportunity for the new government to take action to reverse years of damage to families and communities. Fields in Trust is calling on the next government to prioritize providing more playgrounds and outdoor spaces, ensuring that every child has access to quality play opportunities. By doing so, we can help combat childhood obesity, improve children's mental health, and create a healthier, happier Britain for all.
[1] Hastings Pelham Beach Playground Renewal Project [2] West Lancashire Green Flag Awards
- Science has shown that playgrounds and outdoor play contribute significantly to the physical health, mental health, and stress reduction of children.
- The current concern is that about 35% of 10- and 11-year-olds in England are overweight or obese, and the lack of playgrounds hinders them from meeting recommended daily activity targets.
- To address this issue, local initiatives like the Pelham Beach Playground renewal project in Hastings are upgrading playgrounds, while local authorities are securing recognitions like the Green Flag Award for well-maintained parks.
- Fields in Trust, an organization advocating for protecting green spaces, recommends legal protection, increased investment, and community engagement for playgrounds.
- However, nearly 2.3 million children under nine live more than a ten-minute walk from their nearest playground, and about 800 playgrounds have closed since 2013, indicating a lack in children's access to play areas in Britain.
- Helen Griffiths, chief executive of Fields in Trust, has emphasized the need for each political party to prioritize children's access to play in their election pledges.
- Dr William Bird MBE, a general practitioner, supports this notion, stating that children who play and connect with nature will grow up to be stronger and more resilient adults.
- The General Election presents an opportunity for the new government to take action to reverse years of damage to families and communities by providing more playgrounds and outdoor spaces.
- Like science, health-and-wellness, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth advocate for investing in children's wellbeing.
- In the realm of casino-and-gambling and lotteries, responsible-gambling and policy-and-legislation discussions aim to ensure a safe gaming environment and protect consumers from addiction.
- Meanwhile, the sports sector, including football and sports-betting, can facilitate physical fitness-and-exercise and provide entertaining big-wins opportunities, while weather updates offer essential information for outdoor activities, making sports safer and more enjoyable.
