From muddy knees to makeshift dens, everyday playful encounters with nature are far more than a ‘nice to have’ in childhood. Evidence shows that contact with plants, trees, soil and water supports children’s physical health, cognitive development, mental wellbeing and social connectedness, and can help close health gaps between more and less advantaged children. This…

Webinar Over the last few years there has been an increase in specialist healthy places roles in local government. These roles are often based in Public Health or Planning teams but work across systems as part of Health in All Policies approaches. Recent PHIRST research into these types of roles in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc  and…

Webinar Engaging young people in planning brings insight into how places are used everyday. Their perspectives can highlight what supports, or limits, play, movement, safety and social connection in ways that are too often overlooked by adults. When done well, engagement with children and young people is practical and purposeful, allowing them to actively shape…