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Friendly Parks for All Three local parks have been developed to increase access to the parks for a specific group of park users. Barnes Green was the first Friendly Park and was initially called a Dementia Friendly Park. With time the remit of the project was widened to ensure that the project was more inclusive. The principles for the project were developed following a consultation with people with dementia and their carers which aimed to understand the barriers to using parks, what they enjoyed doing in parks and the activities that they would like to see developed through the project. The recommendations1 from this consultation have guided the development of the Friendly Parks for All project to date. Barnes Green Friendly Park for All project was developed working closely with the Dementia Action Alliance and Alzheimer’s Association and members of 2 support groups. Ham Village Green Friendly Park for All with input from the Woodville Centre and the Friends of Ham Village Green. Heathfield Recreation Ground Friendly Park for All the project team worked closely with the Dementia Action Alliance, the Alzheimer’s Society and there was a public consultation2 around outdoor gym equipment for older people, especially those with limited mobility. The schemes have included the following features:

improved paths through resurfacing,

a waymarked route around each park using the distinctive Friendly Parks for All emblem

aids to orientation around parks including exit and entrance markers

a focal point for the park such as a public sculpture designed by community groups. In Barnes this is a carved totem pole featuring pond animals, in Ham mosaics and a curved bench, in Heathfield Recreation Ground a sculpture designed by students from Richmond College studying art and design

increased number of benches around the waymarked route

inclusion of disabled parking in streets adjacent to the park

a sensory trail which includes a barefoot path at Heathfield Recreation Ground

safe access to Barnes Pond for pushchairs and wheelchairs

outdoor gym equipment designed for people with dementia and people with limited mobility at Heathfield Recreation Ground

information boards on the history and ecology of all sites

a series of monthly activities to encourage use of the park. All sites

online downloadable activities for use in the park. All sites

1 London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (2017) Friendly Parks for All consultation recommendations https://haveyoursay.citizenspace.com/richmondecs/dementia-friendly-parks/consult_view/ 2 London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (2019) Heathfield Recreation Ground, Fitness Equipment Improvements https://haveyoursay.citizenspace.com/parks-open-spaces/heathfield-rec-18/consult_view/

Aids to navigation around a waymarked trail on Barnes Green and Ham Village Green Friendly Parks

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Two parks are currently being brought into the Friendly Parks for All programme. Kneller Gardens, Twickenham (2019-2020) and Carlisle Park, Hampton (2020). Palewell Common, Sheen will be included in the scheme 2020-2021. A work programme is being prepared for Carlisle Park in Hampton and Kneller Gardens, Twickenham. A consultation in the New Year for people with visual impairments (VI) has been scheduled, and the parks team are working with the VI team at Achieving for Children to design a tree trail suitable for people with visual impairments. Activity programmes There is also a programme of activities that sits alongside the work to ensure that the Friendly Parks are accessible. This aims to encourage access to parks for people who face barriers. This work is done in association with local charities. The activities currently comprise:

Wellbeing Walks (monthly all year) to different parks in the borough in partnership with Richmond Borough Mind and Ruils Attendance average is 8-10 people with a total of 81 attendances over the last year

Accessible Walk (monthly all year) from London Road, Twickenham to Kneller Gardens and return. In partnership with Ruils and Richmond Healthy Walks. 5 months attendance so far, and 5 wheelchair users, one visually impaired gent, 3 people with limited mobility. This walk is supported by 3 volunteers.

Walk with Ralph (monthly, all year) Kneller Gardens. In partnership with Pets as Therapy. A monthly walk in partnership with the charity Pets as Therapy. This new walk has run for 3 months and targets people with dementia and their carers. The idea for the activity came from people with dementia who told us in a consultation that they had to give up their dogs when they were diagnosed.

Carers Walk (4 times year) in Crane Park in Partnership with Richmond Carers Centre. The walk has an average attendance of 10-12 people

Quotes from participants include the following: “I've lived here all my life and never knew this was here.” “I used to cycle home from school this way. It's nice to be here again.” “A really contemplative place.” “The walk will offers an opportunity to do something that I used to take for granted – go for a walk with a dog in a local park.”

Social benefit of cafés in parks Through the Friendly Parks for All project we are working with cafés operators who are based in parks to understand the social benefits of these cafés. The ongoing work is highlighting the benefits to park users, and those employed in the café business. The final report will be available later this month. The cafe operators were asked for examples of the role that the café has had in the community this year. We were particularly interested in positive comments or case studies which demonstrate how the cafes have helped to reduce social isolation and increase a sense of belonging to the local community. To date the work has highlighted that parks play an important role as:

Monthly Accessible Walk and Walk with Ralph

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1. A focal point for socialising All cafes were able to demonstrate examples of their role as a focal point in the park for socialising and increasing wider social networks as well as interaction between community members. They gave examples which show a positive impact for people at risk of isolation and helping to overcome barriers that may prevent some people in marginalised groups from taking part, especially where there are facilities appropriate to the group.

2. Bringing the generations together There were also examples of how cafes act as a venue for bringing together different social or generational groups. The café operators demonstrate how cafes in parks have a role to increase social networks of older people who use the cafes as somewhere they know that they can meet people and enjoy social interactions.

3. Fostering a sense of community Discussion from the café operators showed that cafes in parks can positively affect a sense of belonging and inclusion. Some cafés have close links with the Friends of parks groups, so they also foster a sense of pride in the achievements of the Friends groups. “There is an older lady who visits the café with her daughter. They come regularly and tell us that they come to the park rather than visiting a café in the high street because it is close to home and they don’t have to get in the car. They think it is a very friendly place to be and they like the people that they meet. They have got to know the café staff and some of the other people who use the park. They feel safe in the park, it is accessible and there are disabled loos available. Kneller Gardens “Some older people ask for help sorting out problems such using their mobile phones. The young people are happy to help and are trusted by the customers who know them well.” Café Sunshine “Older people visit the café on a regular basis to enjoy the company of the café staff, they talk about the community spirit that can be found in the cafe. Sometimes there are spontaneous sing-alongs. When she was recovering from an illness one regular customer wrote to say much how she was looking forward to visiting again. She has recovered but still talks about the café being a lifeline to her.” Sunshine Café

4. Improving employability

Volunteers Two of the cafés make use of volunteers to run their café. The Sunshine Café uses volunteers with additional needs, people with disability and young people not in education, employment or training and people with mental health issues in order to provide work experience and social benefit. They currently have 4 volunteers but have trained 20 volunteers over the year with an average length of service of 2 weeks, but some stay for longer.

Employment and training opportunities A total of 32 young people had been offered training roles in these 3 cafés over the last year, one café employing on 20 young people over the year but concentrating in summer months when the park is busy and regular staff on holiday. In 3 cafés these were young people with additional needs not in training, education or employment. Café Sunshine employs people with disabilities. “Parents talk about increased confidence levels and skills linked to engaging with members of the public. One member of staff has been part of the team since 2009 and previously did not make eye contact with customers. Now he can manage the café with little supervision and talks confidently to customers.” Café Sunshine “All young people know that they have to move on, but they leave as a trained barista and can use these skills to find other jobs.” Kneller Gardens “Employees can move between different sites that are managed by the company. The different sites offer the opportunity of different types catering experience.” Radnor Gardens

KG café in Kneller Gardens and Cage Sunshine in Diamond Jubilee Gardens, Twickenham

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Nature Buddies Richmond Council through the Parks team support a project to provide a link between the environmental sector and local communities. The volunteers do this by providing support for outdoor learning projects and acting as a befriender to participants taking part in the projects – often vulnerable people at risk of isolation. A total of 23 volunteers were recruited for the project in 2017, in a project supported by Richmond Parks. Twelve volunteers remained with the project and 8 finished the training and received the final award. These volunteers continue to support outdoor learning projects in LB of Richmond and Hounslow. The project is about to restart by continuing the support to existing volunteers and recruiting additional volunteers. Case studies

Z has a background in journalism and working in social care with families. She has mental health problems and during the project took time out because of clinical depression. She was able to complete the training despite these personal problems. Z has told us that she appreciates her role as a Nature Buddy as she can empathise with the participants as spending time outside helps her to take responsibility for her own health and well-being. “Being a nature buddy helps with my positive self-image and emotional well-being. It gives me increased motivation.”

X has recently retired from a career as a social worker. She recognises the need to keep active and connected to other people and has told the project team the benefits she has from spending time outside. X became a Nature Buddy after attending sessions as a participant and has completed the full training course. X has told us that she values the opportunity to meet new people and the opportunities for continued learning even though she is no longer working. She enjoys learning collaboratively, developing new skills and sharing her knowledge. She said that outdoor learning offers a “positive approach to learning by participation.” X told us that being a volunteer has allowed her to build strong friendships and that it “gets you out of bed in the morning, even when you are down”.

Frances Bennett November 2019