Creating healthier communities

Parish and town councils play an enormous role in designing our communities, which inherently impacts the lives of its residents. It can be as simple as having green spaces to walk and cycle in, community spaces to hold meetings, and being social with neighbours. The health of residents should be at the epicentre when considering planning and neighbourhood plans.

Parish and town councils are increasingly responsible for delivering services and running assets within the community. The majority of which will directly affect the health and wellbeing of residents. Services and assets can be run with residents at heart, focusing on health and wellbeing.

Find out more about what your council can do below.

Allotments

Parish and town councils have a long history of organising allotments in their communities. Allotments promote a healthy lifestyle by being outside, moving, active, and having a healthy diet.

Gyms

Many parish and town councils have introduced outdoor gyms to their local park. Outdoor gyms promote a healthy lifestyle for residents by keeping fit and being in green spaces. If the asset is underutilised, it may encourage more people to attend the park.

Healthwatch

Healthwatch is the independent national champion for people who use health and social care services. They find out what matters to people and ensure their views shape the support they need. Healthwatch England supports local branches and discovers what people like about services and what could be improved. They share these views with people in power to make change happen.

Leisure centres

Leisure centres are a positive way to encourage a healthy lifestyle for residents. Many parish and town councils run leisure centres and provide several sports courts. It allows citizens to socialise as well as enjoy sports together. Leisure centres also bring people of all ages and encourage a community spirit.

Neighbourhood plans

Increasingly, more parish and town councils are producing a neighbourhood plan. It allows councils to play an active role in constructing their communities to ensure there are places for residents to meet, provides an active lifestyle by encouraging walking and cycling, supports local services and public transport, implements open spaces to promote healthy eating by offering allotments, orchards and growing spaces and, providing homes and neighbourhoods that meet the needs of all people, including the elderly and disabled.

Parks

Many parish and town councils have control over parks or green spaces in their communities. It encourages residents to walk and cycle in green spaces, essential for a healthy lifestyle. Green spaces should be publicised, maintained and kept clean.

Planting trees

Planting trees offers many community benefits, contributing to environmental sustainability and overall wellbeing. Some advantages include improved air quality, climate regulation, biodiversity support, erosion prevention and water conservation. It goes beyond mere aesthetics and serves as a sustainable investment in the community's health, resilience, and overall quality of life.

Skate parks

Owning and running a local skate park is a great initiative to encourage younger generations to be outside partaking in social and healthy activities and is low in cost to the council. There are many examples of parish and town councils setting up their skate parks, and it is an excellent initiative for the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Transport

In rural communities, transport is essential to link residents to the town or city centre. It decreases the chance of isolation and loneliness among residents. It provides a safe and easy way for people to meet each other. Increasingly, more parish and town councils are funding their community buses and transport to ensure that their residents can access shops, hospitals, green spaces and a reliable way to meet friends and family.