Protecting Our Fields, Strengthening Our Future: The Critical Role of Fields in Trust.

Playing fields and green spaces are more than patches of grass — they are vital hubs of community life, health, and opportunity. Across the UK, these spaces are where children learn to kick a ball, families take weekend strolls, friends meet for exercise, and communities gather. But despite their importance, parks and playing fields are under increasing pressure from development and policy changes.

That’s where Fields in Trust steps in — and why their work matters now more than ever.

A Century of Protection and Progress.

Founded in 1925 as the National Playing Fields Association, Fields in Trust has spent the last 100 years safeguarding the UK’s parks, playgrounds, sports pitches, and green spaces. Through legally binding agreements with landowners, the charity ensures these places are protected in perpetuity — never to be lost to development. Today, nearly 3,000 spaces across the country benefit from Fields in Trust protection, helping to secure safe, accessible places to play, rest and connect for generations to come.

But their role isn’t just legal — it’s deeply social and public-health oriented. Green spaces are proven to support physical fitness, mental wellbeing, and social cohesion. Yet recent data shows almost half of people in Great Britain live more than a ten-minute walk from their nearest playing field — a statistic that underscores the urgent need for protection and expansion of these vital community assets.

Campaigns for Today — and Tomorrow.

Fields in Trust are leading the charge in high-impact campaigns that defend playing fields where communities need them most:

• Open Letter to Save the UK’s Playing Fields: In late 2025, the charity’s President, Jill Scott MBE, alongside hundreds of sports figures and organisations, published a powerful open letter urging policymakers to retain strong protections for playing fields amid proposed planning reforms. The letter — signed by icons like Sir Mo Farah and Ed Clancy — highlights how losing these spaces would harm grassroots sport, community wellbeing, and public health.

• National Radio Campaign: Earlier in 2025, Fields in Trust launched a national radio campaign to raise awareness about the importance of parks and green spaces. Broadcast across major networks, the campaign emphasised that these areas are essential to community life, environmental resilience, and mental and physical health.

• Local Advocacy and Community Mobilisation: From Liverpool to Edinburgh, Fields in Trust partners with local authorities and residents to protect parks and fields through legal agreements and public engagement. Their work empowers communities to speak up and secure the spaces that matter most.

Supporting Communities and Health Across the UK.

Fields in Trust’s efforts have a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the boundaries of protected land. Access to well-maintained parks and playing fields is linked to increased physical activity, reduced social isolation, and improved mental health — outcomes that are especially important in areas with limited access to green space. As public health challenges like childhood inactivity and obesity continue to rise, the charity’s work supports local wellbeing in a very real way.

Their advocacy also contributes to social equity: communities with the least access to safe outdoor spaces are often those that need them the most. By championing protections that prioritise underserved areas, Fields in Trust helps ensure that everyone — regardless of postcode — has the chance to enjoy healthy, active lives.

Looking Forward: Helen Griffiths at Why Sports 2026.

We’re proud to announce that Helen Griffiths FRSA, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, will be speaking at the Why Sports 2026 Conference. Helen will reflect on the organisation’s remarkable impact over the past century and share insights into their future strategy — including how Fields in Trust plans to safeguard more green space, influence policy, and support community health in the decades ahead.

Her session promises to be an inspiring look at how strategic protection of playing fields and green spaces contributes not just to sport, but to the health and happiness of communities across the UK.