Green spaces project wins Inspire Future Generations Award

A Chelmsford City Council project has won a prestigious national award, in recognition of its impact in empowering young people to advocate for a better built environment.

The council’s community safety team worked with charity Make Space for Girls and consultants Social Place on the green spaces project, which aims to make our parks more inclusive to girls and gender diverse young people.

The project was funded by Safer Streets, a government funding scheme allocated by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.

Project recognised for its impact in empowering young people

So far, the project has engaged students from The Boswells School, who worked on ideas for Central Park, and Chelmer Valley High School, who focused on Angel Meadow in Broomfield. The students spent time exploring the parks and discussing what might make the spaces feel more welcoming to them. They then created final designs, some of which have already come to life in Central Park.

Artworks at the Bell Meadow underpass were created as part of the project.

Councillor Donna Eley, Cabinet Member for a Safer Chelmsford, said this project has highlighted the impact young people can have when given the opportunity:

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“Both sets of students provided us with fantastic ideas, and works to bring those ideas to life are already underway. A colourful seating area with new lighting is set to be installed in Central Park soon, and plans are being finalised for Angel Meadow.

“The artwork at the Bell Meadow underpass, created late last year as part of this project, is a great indication of the impact the students' ideas will have on our green spaces. It was eye-opening to hear what the students wanted to see in our parks, and I look forward to witnessing more of their ideas come to life as the project continues.”

Cllr Donna Eley, Cabinet Member for a Safer Chelmsford, Chelmsford City Council

Inspiring future generations

Students from The Boswells School and Chelmer Valley High School reported feeling inspired by the project and empowered by the opportunity to present their ideas to the council.

The project has created further opportunity for youth engagement, too. Students from a local primary school were invited to Central Park for the creation of murals at the Bell Meadow underpass, where they had a go at spray painting and watched artists at work.

The project also involved a celebration event, where students from secondary schools across Chelmsford came together to spend time in Central Park.

A celebration event was held in Central Park.

Spencer Clarke, Public Protection Manager at Chelmsford City Council, said its great to see innovative projects such as this recognised on a national scale:

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“Encouraging young people to use our green spaces more effectively can have clear public health benefits by improving mental and physical health, and involving young people in the process has had a positive impact in so many ways.

“By listening to and working with young people, we have shown that the council values their input and ideas. And we know that these changes are what young people want to see, because the ideas came from them directly.

“We hope the project is contributing to a wider conversation around driving effective change.”

Spencer Clarke, Public Protection Manager, Chelmsford City Council

Learn more about the Inspire Future Generations Awards, and the work of organisers Thornton Education Trust, by visiting their website: https://www.thorntoneducationtrust.org/