Mainstreaming Green Space Services Across Council Departments Peter Matthew Assistant Director Head of Housing, Leisure & Public Health Services

Problems and challenges –Cinderella Service –Cost –Anti Social Behavior –Out of hours benefits –Un-empowered users –Keep off the grass –Waste of space –Health, Safety and Security –Years of neglect –Under Investment –Community Apathy –Maintenance over Use –Lack of Innovation –Pressure of Urbanization Loss of vision and fixation on contract management Diverse population not catered for

Diverse Spaces

Wide ranging benefits Regeneration & community development –Enhancing the quality and value of schemes –Potential for provision of social activities / facilities –Focus for community action and cohesion Environment - Providing an outdoor leisure Centre -Access to quality open spaces -Contribution to ecology and climate change -Encouraging exercise and physical activity Heritage –Experiencing and Valuing your cultural assets –Reservoirs of collective memory Housing –Transforming quality of housing/estate environments and offers –enhancing quality of tenants lives. Health and Wellbeing –Big impact on both physical and mental health and wellbeing –Strong correlation of green space proximity / accessibility and range of health conditions

Local Health and Wellbeing Issues 245,000 residents with 46% BME and an aging population 13% of reception children obese, 25% of Year 6 obese. For reception children – worse than London (11%) and England (9%) 6% of adults over 16 years have diabetes (approx 12,500 people in Hounslow) Adult obesity: estimated prevalence of obesity among adults 21%, lower than England average (24%) - similar to London average (21%). Only 8% of adults do regular physical activity Higher rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions and deaths in males than England average Deaths due to heart disease - significantly higher than national average Mental health – prevalence of depression in adults is 11% Dementia –increase expected in line with ageing population Big variations in life expectancy between poor and well off areas – 7 yrs for men; 4 for women, up to 15yrs between the best and worse area.

Opportunities - Education Increasing use of outdoor space as learning environment Better use of outdoor spaces on school sites Specific programs in parks provided but sometimes develop opportunistically Is access planned, equitable or universal to help meet mainstream outcomes? Linking with Partner Organisations i.e. LWT, Green Corridor, TW4, FORCE, EA, TCV Engaging Schools – Outdoor Classrooms, Open Space Appreciation Supplementing School Playing Fields Supporting the Community and Friends Groups Working with Universities, Colleges and other Higher Education Facilities Building of Education Centre's at Bedfont Lakes, Hounslow Heath and Gunnersbury Triangle

Opportunities – Housing and community Smaller, accessible green spaces in residential areas often as important. Too much wasted space – get away from Grass And Bash – create free/low cost active usable space Targeted activity, especially in more deprived areas – use potential to build community cohesion

Opportunities – community benefits Supporting community aspiration and desire for ownership Supporting networks of Volunteers Community Gardens and Allotments More Focused Community Events Community Funded projects / focused events Expanding Green Flag and London in Bloom Sharing Community Experience with other Boroughs Using our space to rehabilitate and support the Criminal Justice System

Opportunities - Health Enabling Preventative Health Measures Supporting healthy lifestyles –Playgrounds / Outdoor Gym facilities –Health Walks ( –Allotment / “grow your own” programmes –All support outcomes such as reducing obesity Supporting mental wellbeing –Participation in any activity in green space impacts on our mental, social and emotional wellbeing –Ecotherapy actively promoted (MIND) –Positive impacts on mental health and social inclusion especially for mental health client, drug and alcohol clients and older persons Needs close working with health to be effective

The return of Public Health 1895 Public Health Act, to Health and Social Care Act PH back to LA’s from April Big opportunities for innovative, radical preventative approaches Vital to integrate with PH with other core Council Services, including Housing, Cultural and Leisure services; and then across Council services – like economic development, licencing, etc LBH approach will be such an integrative one.

Questions ?