Yesterday I had the privilege of talking with a like minded professional Emily Brook from Care City in the UK.
We had a great discussion about social isolation and how service design and place based support can improve outcomes. As improvement folk we both shared our focus on preventative health programs, early health support and capacity building.
This morning as part of my morning run, whilst reflecting on our meeting yesterday, I decided to run through a few parks and public spaces outside of health services with the lense of are they helping or hindering people to be outside, in the community and is being active and engaged in our community being made easy by the outside spaces.
The pic below, is one example, in a Melbourne inner suburb, of a park with easy access, large pathways, a well maintained park, accessible toilets, a space for Bocce, a pond with ducks to look at, a cafe, a playground and park benches in short distances apart.
These features bring people of all ages and mobility levels to this park. I regularly witness multi generational activity.
Another example, a hospital, with no seating outside to come out into the fresh air and "just be" outside of the clinical environment (I'm talking patients, family and staff). It resonated with me, we all been in discussions where a design aspect has been dismissed because of "what could go wrong" based on historical assumptions.
There are so many benefits to being in public space and creating spaces that encourage people to be out in the fresh air.
There are things that keep people from being in public space - simple things such as their fitness and mobility needs require places to sit, guaranteed access to a nearby toilet, water, shade etc.
It's my hope that the work that local government is doing in the walkable cities, age friendly cities etc and the work that the health system is doing in human centred design can collectively think about what can be created to support the reduction of isolation, increase people remaining active mentally and physically and increase our connection to nature to increase wellness and health outcomes.
I would love to hear successful initiatives that people have seen or implemented that might spark off some great ideas and help advocate for some more public spaces that support bringing people together.
Thank you Emily Brook, I look forward to meeting again soon - sharing and collaborating.
#improvement #healthcreation #preventativehealth #servicedesign #environmentdesign #supportconnection #reducesocialisolation
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7moI'm trying to get ahold of Michael Larson and I need him to contact me, Martha Canaday as soon as possible. My email address is [email protected]. Look forward to hearing from you.