New Ulster University Green Health Map launches for World Mental Health Day
Pictured: Charlene Brooks, Jacqueline O’Hagan and Olivia Robinson from BHC alongside Prof Ruth Lowry and David Woods from UU with student Dylan Vaughan. Belfast Healthy Cities is launching a new Green Health Map for the Ulster University Belfast campus area to coincide with World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10th October. The map was developed alongside […]
BLOG: Reflections on Designing Healthier Cities in Belfast
by Charlene Brooks, CEO at Belfast Healthy Cities Recently I had the pleasure of attending the Designing Healthier Cities summit organised and led by the GroundsWell team at Queen’s University Belfast that brought together an impressive range of speakers and presentations. We were delighted at Belfast Healthy Cities to support the event, and it was great to see Jacqueline, our Healthy City […]
Local Belfast schools receive funding boost to support greener and healthier outdoor spaces
Following the completion of the Healthy Places Healthy Children programme during 2024-2025, eight schools across Belfast went on to introduce a range of improvements designed to create greener, healthier and more engaging environments for pupils. Projects delivered by schools included planting bulbs, trees and fruit, installing mud kitchens, introducing outdoor seating areas, launching anti-dog fouling […]
Belfast Healthy Cities and QUB Host Green Space Policy Roundtable Event
Local politicians, academics and public health experts recently came together in Belfast for a Green Space Policy Roundtable hosted by Queen’s University Belfast in partnership with Belfast Healthy Cities. The event explored how green space can be recognised and treated as essential health infrastructure, with discussions focused on translating evidence into practical policy action across […]
Local elections in England – A time to place health at the heart of local government
On Thursday 7th May 2026, voters across England will elect over 4,850 councillors. A significant electoral moment for elected members to place health and wellbeing at the heart of local governance. A political briefing document is available here. At a time of significant reform and renewed focus on the impact of place on health of […]
Partners come together in Belfast for workshop to address safety for women and girls in public spaces
Over 60 representatives from across local government, academia, community and voluntary sectors gathered in Belfast for a workshop focused on ending violence against women and girls in open and public spaces. Hosted by Belfast Healthy Cities and supported by Belfast City Council, the event brought together a range of partners, including local and regional government, […]
BLOG: Tackling Transport Poverty Through Inclusive Sustainable Transport Planning
As an Infrastructure Delivery Manager at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, I had the great opportunity to travel from Belfast to Brno- Czech Republic, through the Belfast Healthy Cities Explorer Bursary. My aim was to better understand how cities can tackle transport poverty through more inclusive, participatory, and sustainable transport planning. Transport poverty is not just […]
On air with U105: Making Belfast safer and greener for children
Our CEO, Charlene Brooks, spoke to Frank Mitchell on U105 about how we can create a city that truly works for children and young people. During the interview, Charlene highlighted how powerful children’s voices can be when it comes to advocating for green and blue spaces. Children instinctively understand that access to parks, nature and […]