Day three reflections by Lovell, Rebecca

Lack of access- many nature reserves and open spaces are only accessible by car

2024-03-18 12:41:28 UTC

Lack of wheelchair access - kissing gates, surfaces that are impassible in the wet, unnecessary steps

2024-03-18 12:42:15 UTC

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How we overcome them

Speak to more people- 'only easy if we perceive it to be easy'. Learn more about what the actual barriers are.

Time issues with accessing nature

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safe access to green spaces can sometimes feel unsafe. For example unpaved roads that you have to walk along to access the green lane itself. Or access by car only and if you don't have a car public transport is focused on town to town transport rather than to greenspaces

cultural exposure to nature, if its not something you grew up with it may not be priority

2024-03-18 12:46:49 UTC

Transport

2024-03-18 12:48:08 UTC

In my area of work, people who don't have a car are reliant on public transport. Some like this, they cycle, walk. In a city, public transport is often reliable, frequent and goes to the places you need it to. With pockets of coastal and rural deprivation it's a vicious cycle. Not enough people use the transport to make it viable, so funding is cut, so it becomes non-existent or infrequent or only goes to certain places. This also applies to getting to work. Lack of pavements linking residential areas sometimes to the play parks or GP, pharmacy etc. The people in these areas often have great solutions to this though- just don't have the influence.

2024-03-18 12:48:15 UTC

do we have permission to access the green space?

2024-03-18 12:49:44 UTC

At Wylder we find that our community sharing photos of their time spent in nature, has been a great way to start to change perceived barriers such as 'not got enough time', 'weather is too bad' by seeing other people they can relate to are getting outside locally.

We need to meet people where they are at- as well as acknowledging the exclusion by big organisations such as National Heritage, National Trust etc

2024-03-18 12:49:51 UTC

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the barriers we put up ourselves. We may know the benefit of getting outside or exercise but do we find the time? Do we feel confident to do the things we know we probably really should?

Access to cubs, scouts, forest school, nature walks, playgrounds needs to be frequent in childhood so it can be normalised in adulthood

2024-03-18 12:51:44 UTC

Better integration of nature into all areas of school education - better links with forest schools to break down access barriers.

2024-03-18 12:59:03 UTC

Integration of the delivery of the new biodiversity net gain policy / planning with health planning.

2024-03-18 13:01:29 UTC

Money- things are more accessible when you can pay. Grassroots community groups always require funding and it's always short term. There needs to be genuine, honest commitment to wellbeing from central Government. I live in hope.

2024-03-18 13:02:41 UTC

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How inclusive and accessible are green / blue spaces to people of all ages and disabilities

National trust and parking generally

leepegrum — 2024-03-18 13:04:18 UTC

Charging for parking therefore less access for everyone.

Parking using QR codes or apps prevent older adults, those with additional needs for attending areas

Community organising bringing grassroots groups together. We nned to activiely listen to each other- take action with people rather than doing it to/for them.

2024-03-18 13:05:27 UTC

2024-03-18 13:05:38 UTC

The time of year can also affect access. For example beaches in Devon can sometimes feel too full in the Summer and locals often don't visit them in Summer and then you may get out of the habit of going at all

Some people just don't want access. You can't push them into it. Children should have regular access through schooling as some parents won't bother.

2024-03-18 13:21:40 UTC

Older people start avoiding going to places they did before as now having to use smartphones to park or pay. No cash accepted so they don't go.

2024-03-18 13:22:45 UTC