How to develop our parks into becoming community hubs

The Natural Health Service – an innovative collaboration focusing on what the great outdoors can do for our bodies and minds

Putting parks and green/blue spaces at the forefront of thinking about how we emerge from the pandemic stronger – socially, economically and environmentally. 

How to develop our parks into community hubs 19th March 10 am BST

We are delighted to welcome three speakers: 

Graham Duxbury, CEO Groundwork UK

Graham was appointed Groundwork UK's Chief Executive in March 2014. He has nearly 20 years’ experience of helping public and voluntary sector organisations reach new audiences and deliver strategic communications and development campaigns. Graham joined Groundwork UK in 1998, prior to which he undertook a number of communications roles in the voluntary, public and private sectors. Graham will talk about how the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of green space to our health and wellbeing. However, it has also exacerbated existing inequalities in access to green space. In this presentation, Graham will explore the trends for visits to urban green space. What are the barriers and why does it matter?

Damien Newman, Training, Education and Consultancy Manager Thrive

Damien looks after the team at Thrive that provide training education and consultancy to professionals in care and education to maximise the use of gardens and nature for health and wellbeing. He has been involved in Social and Therapeutic Horticulture for close to 20 years both at Thrive and in Mental health services. His presentation will focus on Therapeutic Horticulture - using horticulture to support development, recovery and rehabilitation. He will explore how people with ill health and disability may benefit from a person centred approach, using nature to achieve specific health related outcomes.

Deborah Needle, Community Facilitator, Naturally Birmingham FPA Project

Deborah is an environmental entrepreneur dedicated to connecting people to nature, with a focus on community and biodiversity. She has helped develop the Birmingham Trees for Life programme and is currently working on the Naturally Birmingham Future Parks Project. In 2019 Birmingham won a place on a new initiative to enhance the future of its parks and green spaces - the Future Parks Accelerator. Deborah will share insights from her work on the ‘Naturally Birmingham Future Parks Project’, which is pioneering innovative approaches to managing green spaces in ways that support communities whilst becoming financially sustainable.

To book your place at ￡9 go herehttps://www.smnuk.com/product/welcoming-and-enterprising-parks-and-green-blue-spaces-webinar-1/