The UK faces a lack of green spaces in urban areas. There are more than eight million people without private gardens or easy access to nature. At the same time, many communities are increasingly fragmented, with loneliness and isolation on the rise.
Research shows that neighbourhoods where people are connected have fewer mental health issues.
The UK Government pledged that everyone in England will be within a 15-minute walk of green space or water.
Our canals and river navigations provide ready and easy access to nature, particularly within towns and cities, with opportunities to volunteer and engage in communities.
For people in the most deprived and disadvantaged areas, canals are often the only green space available 'on the doorstep'. But barriers to participation, both real and perceived, mean they're not widely used. We're making efforts to create a safe and inviting canal network.
