Health and wellbeing
Walsall moves forward with plans to improve access to nature across the borough
Published on
Walsall is taking the next steps in a major programme to improve access to green spaces, support biodiversity and tackle health inequalities across the borough.
The programme brings together partners from across the public, voluntary, community and environmental sectors to develop a shared, long-term approach to creating healthier natural spaces and improving residents’ connection to nature.
Following an initial partnership event earlier this year at Brownhills Community Centre, partners have since begun shaping priorities and identifying practical actions to support this work. Partners have also been working towards a shared vision to guide future collaboration and investment.
The emerging vision sets out an ambition for “a borough where people and nature thrive together – with safe, accessible, and sustainable green spaces that communities feel proud of, are empowered to care for, and can enjoy equally. Through strong collaboration, we will connect people to nature, improve health and wellbeing, and create healthier natural spaces for healthier people.”
The programme in Walsall is part of Nature Towns and Cities, a new UK-wide mission to bring nature to urban areas for everyone's benefit. It has been founded by Natural England, the National Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. In Walsall, the programme will help inform the development of Walsall’s Green Nature and Health Strategy, which recognises the role that places such as parks, open spaces and natural environments can play in supporting people’s health and wellbeing.
Unequal access to good quality parks and open spaces, health inequalities, loss of nature and pressures on the long-term care of outdoor spaces are just some of the challenges that have been identified locally. A particular focus is on reducing differences in access to nature across the borough and increasing community pride, ownership and involvement in local spaces.
During the event, participants took part in structured planning sessions to reflect on the current picture in Walsall and identify shared ambitions and actions for the next year and beyond.
“ Improving our green spaces and ensuring all residents can benefit from them is a key priority. This programme is an important step forward in bringing partners together to take a more joined up, long-term approach to create cleaner, greener and healthier neighbourhoods across Walsall and create lasting change for residents and future generations. “
Over the coming months, the Nature Towns and Cities programme will aim to support better connected parks and natural areas, improved access for residents, stronger partnerships between organisations and communities, and clearer plans for future investment and long‑term care of Walsall’s natural environment. The work will also contribute to national efforts to improve the condition of nature and protect wildlife.
Further engagement with residents, communities and partners will take place as the programme develops.
For more information about Nature Towns and Cities, visit
www.naturetownsandcities.org.uk
Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Nature Towns and Cities is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage, they are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in their strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. They believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, they aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities. Visit https://heritagefund.org.uk. Follow @HeritageFundUK on X, Facebook and Instagram
#NationalLottery #HeritageFund.
Nadia Inglis, Director of Public Health.
Partner organisations at the event.
Table discussions.
Table discussions.
