‘Children suffering due to lack of outdoor play, UK charities warn’ - The Guardian
Charities call on government to prioritise outside spaces for play as MPs begin inquiry into planning and children’s wellbeing.
Children and young people are suffering huge damage to their health and wellbeing from policymakers refusing to prioritise the need for outdoor play, charities have said.
Alice Ferguson of Playing Out said: “Compared to previous generations, children’s lives have become incredibly restricted, indoors, isolated and inactive, largely due to changes in the outdoor environment. Government could reverse this trend and hugely improve children’s health and wellbeing by making streets safer and neighbourhoods more child-friendly, enabling them to get outside and play every day.”
Many other countries, including Germany, Norway, and Sweden, have relevant national policies or guidance on making sure cities are more child-friendly, say the organisations.
The charities said evidence showed the physical and mental health of children and young people was in serious, long-term decline, something that was significantly exacerbated by poverty.
The charities said: “For decades, public policy in England has failed to create places that support children’s healthy development and wellbeing. Traffic-dominated neighbourhoods, low quality housing layouts, inadequate facilities, and poorly designed housing estates, along with a lack of parks and green spaces and other accessible high quality natural spaces, have harmed children’s health, and undermined their quality of life. Economic deprivation and racial inequality are both significant additional factors compounding children’s lack of access to outdoor play, physical activity and green space. There is also evidence to suggest girls spend less time outside playing than boys.”
Policies such as ‘no ball game areas’ were further restricting children from accessing free play areas, they said.
“Children are also prevented or discouraged from using other ‘doorstep space’ – for example on housing estates – due to a lack of safe, accessible or suitable space and a lack of permission to use the space outside their homes. ‘No ball games’ signs and culture are still prevalent in social housing schemes across the UK.”
The LUHC Commons inquiry will start hearing evidence from 09:45 Wednesday 24 Jan. Watch live on parliamentlive.tv
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2x Olympian, Keynote Speaker & Non-Executive Director
10moThis is really interesting and not something I’ve paused to think about, until now! I love the idea that your title reflects exactly what you do and when I think about it we maybe aren’t a provider! We are so much more. There’s food for thought here Ben Wire 👍🏻