Fields in Trust

📣 Designers, landscape architects, local government teams – we need you! We’re excited to be working with colleagues at LDA Design to update our Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play, Beyond the Six Acre Standard and are looking to understand the challenges faced and showcase what works well to then share lessons learnt. We are seeking projects that have delivered the best examples of public open spaces across the UK that have been created using Fields in Trust’s Guidance as a positive and proactive tool – from community involvement to design to management of city parks, community woodlands, playing pitches and more 📰 If you have an example of a project that you have led or been involved in, please fill in the short form here, alongside some more information: https://lnkd.in/ehgv7Y6K ⏳ Deadline: 31 October 2024. #OutdoorSpaces #PublicParks #CommunityEngagement #UrbanDesign #GuidanceForOutdoorSportAndPlay #SixAcreStandard #PublicSpaces #GreenSpaces #Playgrounds #HealthyCommunities

We need to make sure that we get the balance right. Our CEO, Helen Griffiths FRSA, shared her thoughts on the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (#NPPF) in The Telegraph. 💬 “We wholeheartedly back any planning reforms that will see new houses and communities developed. But they must provide the green space – and protect existing parks – to ensure these communities can lead healthy and happy lives. It cannot be an either-or.” Read the full article 🗞 https://lnkd.in/e_5hh-hy To find out more, including details on our submission to the NPPF consultation, read our latest blog 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eWdsQAh3

September was a busy month for Fields in Trust! 🍂 Catch up on all our latest news and updates in last month's newsletter 🗞️ https://ow.ly/jAbX50TzRR2 Sign up for monthly updates sent straight to your inbox 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eK2UB2Hv

📣 We're thrilled to announce a new partnership with Hampden & Co, welcoming the organisation as a Strategic Partner. 💬 "We are delighted that the team at Hampden & Co have partnered with Fields in Trust following our introductions whilst undertaking a portfolio of park protections across Edinburgh. Their energy, commitment and genuine interest in helping nature and communities thrive across the UK makes them a brilliant partner." 🗣️ Sally Barney, Head of Fundraising at Fields in Trust https://lnkd.in/e99xuSse

#ICYMI We submitted our response to the National Planning Policy Framework (#NPPF) consultation – a major opportunity for planning reform in England 📝 We’ve put forth a series of recommendations aimed at reimagining the future of our parks and green spaces, highlighting their critical contributions to health, wellbeing, and the environment. Read the full blog 🔽 https://lnkd.in/eWdsQAh3

Our key takeaways from the #LabourConference 🎤 The team is back from #LabConf24 having led the charge for parks and green spaces - feeling energised after great conversations, engaging fringe events, and meetings with MPs. Here are our highlights: 💬 Getting planning right It was no surprise that much talk focused on tackling one of the UK’s biggest challenges - getting planning right, with a focus on the strength of political will to collaborate on achieving this. Housing was firmly on the agenda but in the end, planning is about more than just building houses—it’s about shaping the future health of our society. Viewing green infrastructure on par with built infrastructure is essential. 🗣 Sharon Taylor 💬 Prevention-led public services Health must be a priority in all government policies. By focusing on prevention, we can tackle health inequalities and drive economic growth. Stark warnings were presented of risks to public health, such as air pollution – reinforcing how important protecting green spaces is to this agenda. Green social prescribing and access to quality green spaces are not nice to have’s, they are vital for wellbeing. 💬 Devolution to support local growth Collective leadership can transform local areas. The need to prioritise infrastructure, connectivity, and accessible green spaces was clear, taking cues from Metro mayors like Steve Rotherham and Andy Burnham, and Bev Craig, the Leader of Manchester City Council. With Angela Rayner’s key message that “change begins now,” there is certainly an air of opportunity for progress!

Our key takeaways from the #LabourConference 🎤 The team is back from #LabConf24 having led the charge for parks and green spaces - feeling energised after great conversations, engaging fringe events, and meetings with MPs. Here are our highlights: 💬 Getting planning right It was no surprise that much talk focused on tackling one of the UK’s biggest challenges - getting planning right, with a focus on the strength of political will to collaborate on achieving this. Housing was firmly on the agenda but in the end, planning is about more than just building houses—it’s about shaping the future health of our society. Viewing green infrastructure on par with built infrastructure is essential. 🗣 Sharon Taylor 💬 Prevention-led public services Health must be a priority in all government policies. By focusing on prevention, we can tackle health inequalities and drive economic growth. Stark warnings were presented of risks to public health, such as air pollution – reinforcing how important protecting green spaces is to this agenda. Green social prescribing and access to quality green spaces are not nice to have’s, they are vital for wellbeing. 💬 Devolution to support local growth Collective leadership can transform local areas. The need to prioritise infrastructure, connectivity, and accessible green spaces was clear, taking cues from Metro mayors like Steve Rotherham and Andy Burnham, and Bev Craig, the Leader of Manchester City Council. With Angela Rayner’s key message that “change begins now,” there is certainly an air of opportunity for progress!

Yesterday our Trustee Clive Betts MP was part of New Statesman panel on the housing crisis. There are so many systemic challenges to unlock but it was great to hear Clive talk about the importance of balancing housing and green space to achieve the right result. Thanks to NCVO, Pro Bono Economics and Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales for the great debate on resetting the parameters of the relationship between Government and the third sector. Eight Cabinet Ministers with charity experience is a first so that's a start! And thanks to APSE - Association for Public Service Excellence for inviting us to join a conversation on how local government and the growth agenda. Great to talk to some local leaders about the contribution of green space to healthy thriving places.

💧 This #WorldRiversDay, we’re celebrating the hidden gems of our protected parks—our blue spaces! 💙 We're proud to protect 3,000 parks and green spaces across the UK which include the sources of 40 rivers. 335 of these protected areas feature a section of a river or waterway, collectively spanning an incredible 103,531 meters. 🌳 Dive into our 'Protected Park of the Month' Perry Hall Park in Birmingham—home to the flowing River Tame, and learn more about how blue spaces contribute to the wellbeing of both people and wildlife. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eMdYbYMF

We are delighted to announce ICB (Projects) Ltd as a Public Affairs Partner for Fields in Trust! “We are so grateful for the support we have received from the ICB Group towards our public affairs work as we try to influence policy to create societal change. Their generous support will help us fight for greener, healthier places to live.” 🗨️ Alison McCann, Head of Research & Policy at Fields in Trust For more, visit: https://lnkd.in/e_6UbWq7