Intelligent Health UK’s Post

For years, Playing Out and a few key allies have been shouting about children's loss of freedom to play out on their doorstep and the damaging impact this has had for a whole generation, especially those who have the least. Now many others have joined the fight. And, finally, we are being heard in the corridors of power! We are especially thankful to MPs Ian Byrne and Clive Betts who have become real champions of this issue in parliament following their committee's inquiry on children, young people and the built environment. Ian spoke powerfully at the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) House of Lords launch event yesterday, recalling that when the topic was first proposed, some on the committee questioned "whether this was really important". He and Clive, having grown up in Liverpool and Sheffield respectively, both knew it was. "Looking back, we realised how lucky we were. We didn't have two ha'pennies to rub together but we had freedom and green spaces, and we were healthy, and I absolutely adored it". Now, they see the huge opportunity to design this childhood freedom, outdoor play and health IN to the 1.5 million new homes the Government intends to build, alongside other policy measures. Huge thanks again to TCPA for hosting and all who came yesterday, including Carla Denyer MP. We are very excited to work with this growing network of politicians, organisations and individuals towards achieving fundamental change for all children. Join us! Dinah Bornat Helen Griffiths FRSA Fields in Trust Tim Gill Gemma Hyde Julia Thrift Harriet Grant Dr Jennifer Wills Lamacq Wendy Russell Xavier Brice Sustrans Jenny Rutherford Sally Watson Helen Forman Katherine Knight Dr William Bird MBE Amy Burbidge Dulce Pedroso Alice Ferguson Ingrid Skeels Alison Stenning