This report supported by the Mayor of London was produced to build on the existing methods to value the health benefits of exercise in green space by extending them to cover the benefits of avoiding costs of social care. Through primary data from a survey, one to one interviews and desktop research, authors found that a broad range of additional skills are needed to support parks services in reimaging London’s green space. Mainly, contributors found that there are structural issues in provision, including lack of on-site training and a scarcity of modular courses. Recruitment was found to be hard with the lack of progression and the attractiveness of the sector playing significant roles. The report also identified a lack of diversity in the sector. It recommended establishing a ‘Mayor’s Green Space Initiative’ with three primary functions: (1) A future skills programme of continuing professional development for the existing green space workforce, (2) Sector leadership on workforce development supported by ‘sandbox’61 projects to directly tackle structural barriers and (3) A social employment agency based on a group employment model. This research helps build the case for investment in green space as part of a borough health strategy.
