Green spaces

The health benefits of green space

Access to green space can have significant positive impact on physical and mental health and wellbeing. They include:

• formal parks
• recreation grounds
• countryside sites
• allotments
• play areas

Green spaces provide opportunities for people to be physically active by walking, running, cycling or playing. 

They promote community and social cohesion by helping people feel connected to their communities. Events, group activities and volunteering opportunities can all help to reduce social isolation.

Green spaces offer places for people to rest and relax, reducing stress, anxiety and fatigue. They allow community food production, in places such as allotments, community gardens and orchards.

Other forms of green infrastructure create liveable and healthy environments, which will also be more resilient to the impacts of climate change. For example:

• trees help to reduce levels of air pollution and provide vital shade and shelter
• connected, nature-rich spaces encourage people to be physically active and engage with nature, contributing to both physical and mental health and well-being
• green infrastructure can be designed to reduce flooding, relieving the stress and anxiety this can cause

National context

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's recent Urban Green Spaces Inquiry (2024) reported 'the evidence is clear that urban green spaces are fundamentally important for improving mental and physical health'. However, the Committee also confirmed that 'both of which will have an impact on the health benefits delivered'. In addition, there can be significant inequalities in the quality, quantity and accessibility of greenspace.

Public Health England found that greener neighbourhoods can deliver a disproportionate health benefit to disadvantaged groups. However, many of these disadvantaged groups use green space less often and so continue to have less opportunity to benefit from it. These groups include:

• older people
• those in poor health
• those with a physical disability
• those with lower socioeconomic status
• ethnic minorities
• those who live in deprived areas

Therefore, addressing those barriers that prevent disadvantaged groups from accessing green space can be one approach to reducing health inequalities.

Local context

There is no quantitative data to demonstrate a decline in the quality of green space in Stockton-on-Tees, but budget pressures are impacting on the Council's capacity to maintain green spaces and associated infrastructure.

In addition, anti-social behaviour can discourage use of some areas of green space, and the Council has limited capacity to engage directly with park users and deliver events and activities. However, volunteer and community participation is encouraged and supported.