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September 2023 Special Feature Professional Groundscare
Call for action to help women and girls feel safe in our parks As part of the recent 2023 Love Parks Week, research revealed that 3.5 million women in the UK - around 13% - are put off using parks over fears about safety.
Keep Britain Tidy used Love Parks Week to call for action at every level so that all women and girls feel safe and confident to use their local green spaces.
Across the country, more than 27,000 parks and green spaces – from small, community spaces to world-famous parks – provide a vital space that is free to access for people of all ages and backgrounds, a place to socialise, exercise and enjoy nature.
It is encouraging local authorities and landowners to take on board the recommendations from a recent report to improve access and security.
But for millions of women the fear of intimidation or violence in parks – from unwelcome remarks to sexual assault – or experience of it means they are less likely to use them and feel the benefits. According to research carried out by YouGov on behalf of Keep Britain Tidy earlier this year 13% of women disagreed with the statement that they felt safe in their local park and among younger women aged 25-34, this figure rose to 40%. Research already shows that women and girls do less exercise than men and boys so barriers such as safety fears compound the problem.
Keep Britain Tidy has worked as part of the Safer Parks Consortium, which comprises of Leeds University, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Make Space for Girls, to produce in-depth guidance about how to make parks and public spaces safer and more accessible for women and girls. Recommendations include better lighting, toilet facilities, visible security, the organisation of dedicated events for women and greater staff presence. The charity’s Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “We know that if women and girls feel unsafe, they are less likely to use, enjoy and benefit from our vital green spaces - and that will no doubt
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have knock on effects on health and wellbeing. “As the operator of the Green Flag Award for high-quality parks, we believe parks and play spaces should be designed and managed in a way that makes
them welcoming to women and girls. If our parks are safe for women and girls, they are safe for everyone. “Good design and good management is key to creating green spaces that are inclusive,
accessible and safe for everyone in the community and we would urge everyone with a role to play in managing and supporting our parks to follow our new guidance.” Keep Britain Tidy Enquiry 1
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GroundsFest’s festival plans announced DJ Mikey B is a first choice DJ for many high-profile events throughout Birmingham, Bristol and London and has entertained at various professional football clubs. Dem, a solo singer/ guitarist, will also be taking to the stage as well as some other well-known local bands and artists including Jazzcat, Kitty Bella and Toby Marriott. There will be a fabulous array of street food stalls with various options such as wood fired pizza, Greek gyros, hog roast, a noodle bar,
tacos, curry, crepes, ice cream, donuts, and many more. A range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available. The festival finishes at 10pm and FREE shuttle buses will be running regularly throughout the evening to take attendees back to their accommodation in the nearby towns of Coventry, Warwick, and Leamington Spa. The shuttle buses will also be available the morning after on 21 September for attendees to return to GroundsFest. GroundsFest Enquiry 2
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The festival, which starts at 5pm on the first day of the event (20 September), will feature live music and street food stalls and will allow exhibitors and visitors to unwind, have fun and continue to network. The live music line-up is being headlined by Supersonic Queen – the UK’s most authentic Queen tribute band. Performing regularly in UK and International theatres and festivals, Supersonic Queen have been touring for over a decade
and are known for their uniquely dynamic recreation of Queen’s iconic live performances.
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Organisers of GroundsFest have revealed more details about the festival which is taking place at the event.
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