Public Health Scotland have shared a news story (6 July 2022) and published a report on the use of greenspace during Covid-19.
The paper is published jointly by Public Health Scotland, NatureScot and MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow on behalf of the data and evidence group of Environment and Spaces for Public Health Partnership group.
Key messages from the paper
- People who used greenspaces during the pandemic reported positive benefits, particularly for their mental health and wellbeing. However, not everyone experienced these benefits equally. While many people’s use of greenspace increased, some people, including those that did not have access to a garden or shared outdoor space at home, did not access or use parks and other public greenspaces.
- Gardens and other attractive green and open spaces at home are an important resource, especially for children, older people and those with underlying health conditions. Findings suggest that public and private greenspaces meet different needs.
- Improvements are required in the provision of, access to and use of, high-quality local greenspaces, with a range of different types of greenspace to meet different needs, abilities and interests.
- Ensuring the benefits of greenspace that many experienced during the pandemic are sustained, and can be realised for all, will require a multi-agency response working with communities. This will include planning and local authority services, housebuilders and developers, community planning partners and voluntary sector organisations.
See #GreenSpaceForHealth
