Make Space for Girls

Today we're launching our Impact Report for 2023 - what we've been up to last year and how we think it is making a difference. This covers everything from research projects to appearing on Radio 4 - and of course talking to lots of teenage girls. It sets out what we’ve achieved in our five key areas of focus - raising awareness, engagement, research, policy and getting things built.  But it isn't just about us, it's also a celebration of the many amazing collaborations we’ve been part of this year.  To find out more you can read all about it – and download the report – on the blog pages of our website. https://lnkd.in/exk6eSz2

You are warmly invited to the 'HERParks Symposium – Inclusive Spaces for Young Women and Girls', which will take place at the School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, on Wednesday 02 April 2025 – 11.00-14.30. The symposium explores how teenage girls and young women (TGYW) engage with urban parks and how these spaces can be (re)designed to be more inclusive. By examining TGYW’s everyday experiences, it will identify physical and social barriers to their participation and emphasise the need to integrate their perspectives into #urban_planning, #urban_design, and #landscape_architecture. Alongside discussions on gender-sensitive placemaking, the symposium will present recommendations for practitioners and decision-makers, focusing on design modifications, policy interventions, and participatory engagement. This symposium will conclude the project 'Making Neighbourhood Parks Inclusive for Teenage Girls and Young Women in Cardiff', funded by ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council and Cardiff Council. Project team: Thomas Aneurin Smith, Matluba Khan, Neil Harris, Jess Richmond, and myself. Along with the presentation of project findings, the symposium features contributions from Jen Burke (Cardiff Council) Marica Cassarino (UCC, Ireland), Susannah Walker (Make Space for Girls), Lee Patterson and Thomas Pughsley (Child-Friendly Cardiff), and Jennie Judd and Mark Synan (Cardiff Parks Service). Tickets for this event are free but limited. To confirm your attendance, please make sure to book your ticket. https://lnkd.in/diFsd8uF

Yesterday the Avalon Team had a fascinating CPD session from Imogen Clark, Co-Founder of Make Space for Girls. Make Space for Girls is a charity campaigning for the provision of facilities and public spaces for teenage girls and non-binary young people, in a world where the majority of the parks, recreational grounds and playing fields tend to be dominated by boys and young men. As Imogen explained, this isn't a case of designing out boys, but rather designing IN girls, and incorporating girls and young women's voices into discussions about how public spaces are designed to ensure that everyone's needs are met. A very important topic, particularly for those of us in the planning sector. If you're interested in finding our a bit more about the charity or seeing how you can get involved in the work they do: https://lnkd.in/eS_hdhaQ #MakeSpaceForGirls #Design #Planning #Development #Equity #CPD

An area in the park designed with teenage girls in mind has been part of the project undertaken by Your Park Bristol and Bath at Brickfield Park. Make Space for Girls were involved early on in the project to share ideas, and the project continued to evolve - including working with young people to understand what they want from their park. The project includes: -A five-way swing -Entrance gateways opened to make them more accessible and welcoming -A tree trunk social seating and climbing area -A bespoke figure of eight bench -Somersault bars -Reduced height of hedges to improve sightlines It's amazing to see this all come to fruition - well done to all involved, you are making a real difference. More info here: https://lnkd.in/e5pYTs7Q

We were thrilled to be part of an important event to mark International Women’s Day, where we had the opportunity to discuss designing gender-inclusive public spaces organised on behalf of RIBA EUROPE. As part of a panel that included Yalda Pilehchian from Ramboll and Mads Birgens from Cobe, Abigail Gaines represented Make Space for Girls.  Discussions were on how parks and urban spaces often fail to consider the needs and wants of women and girls, and started to explore solutions. This included the need to engage with women and girls and co create spaces together. Earlier in the day, Make Space for Girls ran an engagement workshop with 30 teenage girls in a school, where their insights on parks and public spaces were invaluable. Knowing that their views and ideas were  to be shared that evening as part of the event with architects, urban designers, and planners was a highlight for them—their voices having the opportunity to shape the future of urban design and creating more inclusive and welcoming spaces. Thank you to Rebecca Halstead for organising the events on behalf of RIBA EUROPE, the British Embassy Copenhagen for sponsoring the event and all others involved - including the girls and all who attended the evening discussions. It was great to talk and meet so many people interested in the topic and wanting to make a difference in anyway they can. Images @Andrea Pražienková

Good to see further discussion of how public spaces can be designed with safety, inclusivity, and belonging in mind, for women and girls. Let's keep the conversations going!

On Friday we ran a workshop with 30 teenage girls in Copenhagen, where we explored their thoughts on parks and urban play spaces. The session was all about listening to the voices of those who truly matter—the girls who are so often left out of the conversation when it comes to designing parks and public spaces. The girls shared powerful insights about what they need from urban environments. From the importance of safety and soft natural lighting to their desire for spaces to sit, socialise, and connect with nature, they showed us that teenage girls are the experts on what works (and what doesn’t!) in their communities. There were common themes that we have in the UK including concerns regarding safety and the need for well maintained (single sex) toilets. And also social spaces where they can hangout, socialise and play including: -A range of social seating -Climbing equipment to hang out high -Swings -Circular (wide) paths -Zones -Trampolines -Hammocks/nets -Motion lighting/warm ambient lighting -Nature always emerges as key - play/social spaces in natural areas with colour and calmness. Interesting views for ‘natural grass’ as opposed to fake grass or other flooring materials and also that ‘modern architecture and design can sometimes be overwhelming’. Engagement with young people matters. We need to hear from teenage girls, consider how they use or avoid spaces, and start creating places that truly work for everyone. In the evening we shared the views and ideas of the girls with a range of architects, developers, designers and interested parties - some great conversations. Thank you to Rebecca Halstead of Echo Architecture for arranging the event for RIBA EUROPE supported by the British Embassy Copenhagen Yalda Pilehchian - Ramboll Mads Birgens - Cobe

Such a privilege to hear the views and d experiences of teenage girls in Copenhagen at an engagement session this morning. From initial thoughts of ‘parks are for everyone’ they soon started to share experiences that perhaps this isn’t currently the case, especially for teenage girls. Some key things emerging have similarities and common themes to those we are hearing from teenage girls in the UK. Thanks Rebecca Halstead of Echo Architects for organising this. RIBA EUROPE British Embassy Copenhagen

Make Space for Girls was honoured yesterday to be one of ten charities invited by The Speaker of the House of Commons to attend a special event to mark Women’s History Month. Great to meet so many dynamic and like-minded women. Inspiring speeches from Kirith Entwistle MP , Katie Lam, MP for Weald of Kent, and The Speaker - urging recognition of the role of women in changing history, how they are making a difference and need to celebrate achievements. Image shows some of our trustees who attended the event. #womenshistorymonth #internationalwomensday

We are really looking forward to being part of this event in Copenhagen next week.