Fields in Trust

The hotly anticipated update to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has arrived in time for Christmas bringing with it mandatory housing targets for Councils. There are some steps in the right direction to elevate the provision and protection of green space in line with other key infrastructure but the great opportunity to embed mandated standards into the reforms has been missed. But there are some things to cheer! A new requirement to consider how policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places around both promotion of “good health and preventing ill-health”, and explicit reference to “reducing health inequalities between the most and least deprived communities” put these issues firmly on the radar. Taken in conjunction with yesterday’s annual report from the Chief Medical Officer which suggests that “Making walking and cycling more practical and safer, and access to green space easier and more equitable, would go a long way toward removing barriers to improving physical activity levels and could significantly improve the health of England’s increasingly urban population” then there are an increasing number of levers to pull on to get these key issues factored into decision making.     And, off the back of the recent publication of ‘Raising the Healthiest Generation in History’ the report we co-authored with Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), Playing Out Tim Gill and Dinah Bornat then the specific mention of play space being protected from development is a HUGE step forward.   Lots of attention on the five golden principles of the NPPF to ensure that rules are stringently followed when any green belt land is released. 'Improve genuine green spaces' is one of the five and requires green space to meet national standards relevant to the development. Fields in Trust have been setting Standards on open space for nearly 100 years and we believe that the requirements on access to green space should be for ALL developments regardless of where those homes are built. We’ll be watching closely to see how these rules are developed and policed.    The inequalities in access to green space and associated health inequalities are stark and this raft of changes to the NPPF could have gone much further to set out a people and nature first approach to planning to address decades of inaction and decline. #NPPF #play #greenspace #parksandgreenspaces #healthwellbeing #planningreform

We're hiring! If you are looking for a diverse new senior finance role and would like to play a part in protecting the future of parks, playgrounds, sports fields and green spaces then read on to find out more about joining our team. #charityfinance #charityjobs #financialleadership #parksandgreenspaces #environment #healthandwellbeing

Just back from Blackpool and the APSE - Association for Public Service Excellence Benchmarking seminar to present on the new edition of Fields in Trust Standards. Hearing from lots of passionate people working across front line services and a pertinent discussion in our workshop on the significant challenges they are facing – lack of funding for parks, loss of expertise and resources, playgrounds at risk of closure and a cycle of decline. Even though the benefits are well documented these precious community assets still need #revaluing. We want to continue to evolve our Standards so they help to drive the creation and management of accessible, inclusive and quality green spaces https://lnkd.in/eaUEEACJ. Thanks for the hospitality and nice job APSE for recognising good performance through the awards.

Time to take play seriously! We joined forces with phenomenal colleagues including Playing Out Tim Gill and Dinah Bornat of ZCD ARCHITECTS LTD a year ago to call for a Select Committee Inquiry into children, young people and the built environment. The response was overwhelming and the evidence sessions stimulated great debate and prompted hopes of some significant recommendations and actions that were then derailed by the General Election. Determined not to lose the momentum and with fantastic support from Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) the insights from over 130 individuals and organisations who submitted evidence can now be read in this new report. This is an opportunity not to be missed and the report draws out key recommendations for Government Ministers and Departments including; ✳️ Establishing national leadership for children and young people's wellbeing. ✳️ Enhancing access to nature and green spaces where children and young people feel welcome. ✳️ Prioritising opportunities for play. Looking forward to celebrating the launch of this new report at the House of Lords later today.

For nearly a century Fields in Trust’s Standards have been used by practitioners to shape how open and green space is delivered in new communities. The new update of our Standards aims high to restore or create spaces that support active lifestyles, bring nature in at every turn, are inclusive and accessible. Read the latest blog from our CEO Helen Griffiths on finding the balance between meeting the quantum and making sure that the green spaces we create are working for people and the environment. Thanks to the team at LDA Design especially Tom Perry and Jemma Hall for their expert input and to our partner Lands Improvement (LIH) for hosting a great discussion last night – more on that soon! We hope this will be the first of many conversations. Thanks to all organisations who have helped us and to everyone who responded to the call for case studies; we’re looking forward to sharing all these fantastic exemplars of what good can and should look like. Download your copy today! https://lnkd.in/ejgTXHEA

🌟 Exciting news! 🌟 We are thrilled to welcome Fields in Trust and Refettorio Felix to the Octopus family, as our new charity partners! 🎉 Over the next three years, we will be collaborating to drive meaningful change and make a lasting impact in our communities together. As part of this partnership, we are proud to offer both of our partners an unrestricted grant and wrap-around support, whilst giving our most valuable resource; time. Leveraging our knowledge and skills, we will help enable these incredible charities to grow and achieve their missions. Together, we look forward to creating a brighter future and making a real difference. Welcome aboard, Fields in Trust and Refettorio Felix! 💪 Read more about our new charity partners: Fields in Trust 👉 https://lnkd.in/eBnWDzsC Refettorio Felix 👉 https://lnkd.in/eMiWBtme #OctopusGiving #CharityPartners #Volunteering

📣 Huge news! We’re thrilled to announce that Fields in Trust has been chosen as Octopus’s new environmental charity partner 🎉 As one of only two charities selected for this three-year partnership, we’ll receive an unrestricted grant, alongside guidance and support from the amazing Octopus team to help us in our mission of ensuring everyone has quality green space close to home. Find out more about the partnership from Sally Barney, our Head of Fundraising, who shares the journey from application to selection – and what this means for our impact on our future. 💚🌍 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ex8nDjYF #OctopusGiving #GreenSpaces #CharityPartnership #TogetherForChange #AccessToNature

This #TrusteeWeek, we want to give a special shout-out to the brilliant individuals who dedicate their time, skills, and passion to serve as trustees for Fields in Trust! 💚 A heartfelt thank you to our chair, Jo Barnett, honorary treasurer Jeremy Hammond, and trustees Carlotta Calleri Zavanelli Newbury, Caroline Atkinson, Clive Betts MP, Duncan Peake, Ewan Gillies, Ian Ginbey, and Mark Campion. We’re incredibly grateful for their commitment and efforts. Join us in acknowledging and celebrating the valuable work #trustees do this week, and beyond. 👏 You can find out more about the people behind our charity here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/etKtJvyQ

We’re thrilled to announce the newest addition to our Board of Trustees, Caroline Atkinson 👏 With extensive experience as an HR executive across various sectors, Caroline brings invaluable insights to our team. Her previous support as an HR advisor has already made a significant impact, and we’re eager to see how her expertise will help us advance our mission even further. Welcome aboard, Caroline! #Trustee #BoardofTrustees #ExpertInsights #HRExepertise #HRExecutive

📢 Last call if you want to submit your project/s to the Fields in Trust to be in the running to be featured in their guidance as one of the UK's best examples of public open spaces. LDA Design is supporting Fields in Trust and we're looking for a range of projects, from city parks to #community woodlands, and everything in between including playing pitches, outdoor sports and play spaces 🤾♀️ 🌳 ⚽ 🌼 🏓 A quick recap. This is for an update of the Fields in Trust’s 'Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play: Beyond the Six-Acre Standard' and we're particularly interested in projects that have been created using this guidance. What were the key challenges you had to overcome? What long-term management is in place to ensure the space feels cared for? How did you make it accessible, safe and inclusive? How big a factor was climate resilience in your design? Here’s the form to complete by Thursday 31 October, if possible (let us know if you need more time): https://lnkd.in/etc92-us Also help us spread the word. With thanks in advance 🙏 📷 Robin Forster (3); Neil Speakman (2, 4 and 5) Jemma Hall Ian Houlston Tom Perry Alison McCann #play #sport #openspace #publicspaces #parks #casestudies #inclusion #biodiversity #fieldsintrust #localgovernment #greenspace #bettertowns #bettercities #nature #biophilia #ldadesign