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April 2025 Special Feature Best of British
National radio campaign to protect parks and green spaces Fields in Trust, the UK charity dedicated to protecting parks and green spaces, has launched a new national radio campaign to highlight the vital role these spaces play in communities across the country. The campaign, voiced by acclaimed actress Shelley Conn, is airing throughout March on Heart and Smooth Digital Platforms, thanks to the generous support of Global Media. The ad underscores the crucial importance of parks and green spaces as more than just places to relax and play – they are essential for well-being, the environment, and the social fabric of our communities. For over a century, Fields in Trust has worked to ensure these spaces remain protected for future generations, safeguarding thousands of parks from development. Helen Griffiths, CEO at Fields in Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to share this powerful message with listeners nationwide. Green spaces are the heart and lungs of our communities. But once they are lost, they are lost forever.
“With the support of the public, we can ensure these vital places remain protected.” Simon Forster Creative Lead at Global Media Group, said: “At a time when life can feel so pressurised, the preservation of parks and greens spaces has never been more important, especially as a means to decompress from the day-to-day stress we all carry around.
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“That’s why working with Fields In Trust to create this campaign has been a privilege and a pleasure. I’m delighted to hear their message taken right across the UK, conveying the importance of their work.” It comes as a new report from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government summarises a rapid evidence review of successful methods of working for local authority parks teams. The review examines the case studies of Islington Council and Leeds City Council, which have been identified by stakeholders in the green spaces sector as having thriving parks services that contribute effectively to their communities.
Alex Norris MP, Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety at MHCLG, said: “Parks and green spaces play a vital role in our society, from providing benefits for health and wellbeing to facilitating space for communities to interact, make new connections and share ideas and culture.
“The government is supporting the development and maintenance of quality parks and green spaces through the Green Flag Award Scheme, an internationally recognised standard for high-quality green space to benefi t a local community.
“The ambitious Green Infrastructure Framework also seeks to create naturerich towns and cities, helping millions realise the benefits of accessing nature.” Fields in Trust Enquiry 1
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Government’s £100m to revamp local sports facilities People across the UK will benefit from upgraded sports facilities in their local area thanks to £100 million invested by government. Working together with the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation in England, the Cymru Football Foundation in Wales, and the Football Associations in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the funding is expected to support hundreds of new and improved pitches, changing rooms, goalposts and
floodlights to improve access to sport and physical activity for local communities. It will be targeted at deprived areas and support greater access and participation levels among under-represented people including women and girls, ethnic minority groups and disabled players. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Grassroots sport clubs are at the heart of communities across the UK.
“That’s why we’re investing £100 million to support new and upgraded pitches, changing rooms and clubhouses across the country, providing transformational funding to the areas that need it most. “As we deliver our Plan for Change, we will remove barriers to an active lifestyle and increase opportunity for all, ensuring that wherever people may live, they can access high quality sports facilities and experience the joy that sport brings.”
Of the funded projects, at least 40% will have a multi-sport offer so that more people can participate in sports other than football, meaning more people can get access to a wider variety of sports and activities that appeal to them including rugby, cricket and basketball.
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Clubs and organisations across the UK are now being urged to come forward and apply for funding. DCMS
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