We are RESPONSIVE

The evidence of the positive impact arts, libraries, parks and sports and fitness have on health and wellbeing, the economy and local communities is far reaching and the COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of the importance of parks and open space and physical activity in particular.

Residents and local organisations have told us how culture benefits them individually and also the role they think culture can play in addressing key challenges, particularly around health & wellbeing and improving quality of life.

“(Culture) keeps me in good physical and mental health at my advanced age”

Programmes and facilities including Chat & Draw, Health Walks, Heathfield Recreation Ground’s Fresh Air Fitness Centre, community reading groups and our home library service have aimed to improve health & wellbeing in our borough, with a specific focus on supporting residents 70+ years who are less physically active and at risk of loneliness and isolation, and the borough’s voluntary sports sector provides invaluable capacity for ensuring increased opportunities for participation.  But in order to begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic it is clear that we will need to do more to support the physical and mental health & wellbeing of all our residents.

Over the next ten years we will find better ways for culture to support the borough's health & wellbeing agenda and contribute to public health prevention and promotion strategies. Our arts, library, parks and sport & fitness services will work with public health partners to identify new opportunities to tackle health inequalities and support community mental health, specifically for those who experience barriers to being physically active including Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups; young people; people with long term conditions and low incomes in order to deliver effective services which improve the quality of life for all our residents.

“With improved learning and health, increased tolerance, and opportunities to come together with others, culture enhances our quality of life and increases overall well-being for both individuals and communities.”

How we will do this

• Over the next three years our arts, libraries, parks and sport & fitness services will work jointly on a response to the borough’s public health agenda, identifying opportunities to leverage additional funding and engage more partners to help support Social Prescribing and public health prevention and promotion.
• We will find ways to remove the barriers that prevent those whose physical & mental health is at risk from accessing sports & fitness services. We will review the range of services and concessions offered and develop targeted new activities and facilities that will meet demand for use and contribute to the wider public health agenda by 2031.
• We will ensure there are opportunities for all young people in Richmond to benefit from cultural activity from an early age by working with local schools, education providers and other partners to support the delivery of programmes such as Bookstart, Forest Schools and Chatterbooks in the borough.
• We will work with our borough’s wide range of sports clubs and facilities to maintain high levels of participation amongst young people and consider how our partners can help get more residents more active and support London Sport’s ambition of making London the most active city in the world.
• Over the next five years our cultural services will explore how we can prioritise the mental health & wellbeing of those aged 24 and under to provide new opportunities for the borough’s youth and young people to re-connect with Richmond's outdoor spaces, environment and nature.
• Our libraries will continue to support people in managing their health and wellbeing through helpful reading and participating in The Reading Agency’s Reading Well scheme.

Next: We commit to INCLUSIVITY