*** NEXT EVENT IS AN INNER CITY WALKAROUND 12 MARCH 2026 at 3-5PM. CONTACT HDRC@SOUTHAMPTON.GOV.UK TO SIGN UP***

During 2026, Southampton Collective is working with Southampton Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) on a project to do with safe green spaces. We know that people really value open spaces in order to help them with health and improve quality of life, be it through getting out of the house, socialising with others, connecting with nature, walking, cycling or sports, and much more. The purpose of this project is to help identify research gaps and support improved connections and collaborations, in order to improve people's health. 

Come along to our Inner city community walk. Walk together through Southampton's inner city and share ideas on improving green spaces.

• Thursday 12th March 3-5pm (no problem to leave early or join halfway)
• We'll walk slowly with regular stops for discussion
• Everyone welcome: share with neighbours and friends
• Start and finish point: Kingsland Square (Southampton Voluntary Services)
• To sign up, tell us of any access needs or for more information: email HDRC@southampton.gov.uk

Previously, on 11 February we held an online event to explore what's strong in Southampton's Green and Open Spaces. Lots of organisations and individuals are working hard in Southampton to improve people’s experience of green spaces and we heard about * All Aboard festival and other activities in the St Denys areas, * the Wilder Mansbridge project helping residents connect with nature, * Wicketz free community cricket programme, * the transformation of Sullivan Road Rec with Montys Community Hub, * Angela Chicken's innovative 10 Mins on park photography project, * how SoCo Music uses the pavilion in Hoglands Park for music and more (with ambitious plans for the future), * regular volunteering in parks with Southampton City Council rangers and * the Urban Wild festival coming up in May 2026. 

We then asked this question and received the following answers:

What improves access and use of green and open spaces in Southampton for health and wellbeing?

 VIBRANT AND VARIED USES Some parks (e.g. city centre parks) are well used – they need to be vibrant, mixed use, with diverse activities happening at different times of day, to make the spaces feel safer.

EVENTS – AND KNOWING ABOUT THEM – TO HELP PEOPLE GET TO KNOW THEIR LOCAL GREEN SPACES Regular activities such as parkrun, park yoga, nature-based activities etc all help with this. During this webinar, people commented there was a lot more going on than they had heard about.

CAFES AND SIMILAR There’s a need for more regular presence and cafes/coffee vans are welcome.

ACCESS How do people get there, and know how to access them? Bus and cycle routes, bike parking, clear signage/directions to parks and encouraging people to walk are all important. Access for people with mobility issues is also important.

PHYSICAL COMFORT/AMENITIES There are very limited public toilets in Southampton’s parks. People need to know where they can go to the loo, and they need access to drinking water, seating, shade from heat, and lighting at night.

FEELING SAFE Safety is an issue. People assess danger, including making perceptions of risks from others. People need to know how to exit parks, and clear sightlines are needed, lighting was also discussed.

ORGANISED ACTIVITIES NEED TO BE IN A SAFE SPACE Organisers need a level of control of spaces, especially if running activities for children. This can be a difficulty when using public parks. In this case, spaces such as school outdoor spaces can be more suitable.

SHARING STORIES about people’s use of parks and open spaces past and present is a great way to connect people with these spaces.

STORAGE FOR EQUIPMENT There is lots of potential to do more activities in parks, such as bike activities with bikes on loan, but storage in and around parks is limited. Make the most of the buildings we have?

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP, COMMUNITY ACTION AND LEARNING FROM OTHER AREAS The importance of working with different partners and making connections came up, whether that’s with council, other organisations, businesses, volunteers and beyond. Taking ownership of local spaces was also discussed, to insulate communities from changes in policy direction or priorities in funding. In the area of litter, examples of creative community action were given, from impromptu litter picking near Monty’s, making litter collages in Mansfield and the Great British Spring Clean | Keep Britain Tidy

Lots of other ideas were also shared, and a full copy of the report from the 11 February event is available. Please join us at our inner city walk on 12 March 3-5pm. Contact hdrc@southampton.gov.uk for the report or to register to join the walk.