Deprived communities 'miss out on health benefits'

Getting hands on with nature has health benefits, a Bradford professor says

Deprived communities who are not spending time in nature are missing out on important health benefits, an academic has said.

Dr Elizabeth Kiilu, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Bradford, is researching how nature can improve our immune systems.

She said just taking a short walk can help reduce stress and improve sleep, as well as improving gut health and wellbeing.

Her work also looks at how creating more green spaces in Bradford, and increasing outreach work in communities, can boost health.

Dr Kiilu said: "Bradford is a socially economically deprived area.

"A lot of people spend more hours working, so they have less time to interact with the environment."

She added: "We know that Bradford is a diverse environment, with many migrants from other areas - and immigration comes with a lot of vulnerabilities.

"It simply means they are at a disadvantage compared to people who are born here."

These vulnerabilities include economic difficulties and language barriers, she said.

Dr Elizabeth Kiilu is an assistant professor at the University of Bradford

Getting people involved in community projects can be difficult however, according to Pippa Chapman, who runs gardening sessions in Keighley.

"I think there's definitely a certain age group and a certain demographic... and it tends to be women," she said.

"They tend to be British, white, and of retirement age."

She said she understands people have busy lives, and may not have the time to attend.

Pippa Chapman runs community gardening projects in Keighley

Eight new nature reserves are to be designated in the Bradford district.

The Bradford Pennine Gateway will also add to the area's growing green spaces, with a nature reserve that spans 3,148 acres (1,274 hectares) - twice the size of Ilkley Moor.

Paul Duncan, deputy director for Natural England in Yorkshire, said it is also "taking steps to bring nature closer to the city", working with the NHS to deliver "green therapy" and other initiatives like Nurture Naturelets, which funds families with young children to connect with nature through outdoor play.

"This is just the start," he said.

"There is more we want to do to ensure that more people can discover their natural heritage, while also reaping the wellbeing benefits that access to green spaces can provide."

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