Empowering communities & improving health
We are working in some of the areas of highest health deprivation in the region to support local people to use their parks more often.
Our method
We aim for parks to provide something for everyone in a neighbourhood. This ambition is grounded in evidence on the role of nature-based interventions for mental health (Bragg and Leck 2017).
Bragg & Leck set out that parks should provide easy access to nature for communities through:
- Everyday life
- Nature-based health activities
- Green care
Wild & Well
Through our partnership with Bristol City Council, we facilitate networking and work with Community Champions so that local parks provide what local people want and need.
We work in four different areas in Bristol: Hartcliffe, Withywood, Stockwood & Lawrence Hill.
Explore the Padlets highlighting all the wonderful park activities in these areas:
- Hartcliffe & Withywood
- Stockwood
- Lawrence HIll
Get in touch to be part of Wild and Well in these areas.
Community Champion - Martin
Martin had to take early ill health retirement from Bristol City Council early on in 2022. This led him to get involved with Wild & Well in Stockwood.
“I want to put Stockwood on the map as an inclusive community for all. It used to be a very welcoming area but has become a socially challenging one in the last few years. Together ... with Bristol City Council, this can and must be turned around.”
Having felt the positive impact of parks on his wellbeing, Martin wants others to experience the same by making parks more accessible and welcoming.
"We only have a small park with great facilities for children but nothing for adults. There is nothing in the park that encourages me to use it."
“It needs to be more accessible. A lot of people use it to allow their dogs’ to run about and defecate with no intention of cleaning up. As a scooter user, I do not find it accessible ...”
Martin has a lot of passion for his local parks and green spaces and is keen to improve them for others in his community. He understands the positive impact that green spaces can have on our mental health and wellbeing and wants to improve spaces for his local community.
Become a Community Champion Get in touch
