Use of green spaces during lockdown

Published: 14 March 2018

A new article on green space use during lockdown by the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit's Hannah Burnett, Dr Jon Olsen and Prof Rich Mitchell has been published in "The Conversation"

The Conversation has published a new article on green space use during lockdown by the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit’s Hannah Burnett, Dr Jon Olsen and Professor Rich Mitchell.

Photo of park with trees in blossom

Their research found that following the March 2020 lockdown, the majority of the UK population (63%) were spending less time in green spaces than before lockdown.

This was likely linked to feelings of anxiety when venturing out of the house, especially for older people or anyone advised to shield. Inequalities in the use of green space are likely to be associated with occupation, especially during lockdown, when certain workers were advised to work from home.

The piece highlights green spaces as an essential resource for mental health and wellbeing which must be protected and prioritised in any future fiscal squeeze to ensure the most disadvantaged and vulnerable do not lose out.

Read the article


First published: 14 March 2018