NEWS: My Home My Park winners announced

Groundwork has announced the winners of the ‘My Home My Park’ photography competition, which encouraged young people across the UK to share their views on what they love about their local park.

The photographs were showcased at local events up and down the country and young people from our youth network will be sharing the messages with politicians at the Labour and Conservative party conferences. The winners will have the opportunity to take part in a photography course to further develop their ability to tell their story through pictures.

The response to the competition demonstrated just how important parks are to young people as a places to play, socialise, relax and feel closer to nature. Only 69% of 16 to 24 year olds are satisfied with their local area and the average age of a local councillor is almost 60, so the photos and events provide a platform for young people to engage with their local representatives and work together towards improvements in their local green spaces.

Three winners were chosen by our Youth Advisory Board, while the fourth was selected from among entrants from our Future Proof Parks programme, which engages young people with their local historic park heritage.

The winners are:

Here’s what some of the winning entrants said about their local parks:

This park is important to me, because it’s somewhere I have been coming to entire life and enjoy exploring the abundance of plants and wildlife. I would love for the animals and foliage to remain protected, as well as preserve the iconic chimney. In the future I would like to see wheel chair accessibility and more small events.

Skye talking about her local park, Troopers Hill in Bristol

I’ve always loved coming to the zip-wire here since I was little, I would love if the council would install something to help with the mud!

Izzie talking about Meadow Park in Delph, Greater Manchester

Representatives of Groundwork’s Youth Advisory Board will be at the Labour and Conservative party conferences on 22nd and 29th September, sharing their views and asking politicians questions about parks, youth voice and the environment.

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