Happier Blue Spaces
A two year programme exploring the natural heritage of local blue and green spaces. Delivered in partnership with the Ocean Conservation Trust and Coxside Residents Arts Board, with thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Happier Blue Spaces was a partnership project in Coxside and the East End of Plymouth. In the two year programme we worked with the Ocean Conservation Trust and Coxside Residents Arts Board (CRAB) to deliver a programme of creative and educational opportunities for Coxside and the wider East End, to increase engagement with the National Marine Park, and to encourage Ocean Literacy through exploring natural heritage.
With the establishment of the UK’s first Marine Park in Plymouth Sound, the project (and it's legacy) the project landed at a great time to get to know more about our local blue and green spaces, discuss how we can engage with them better and more safely, consider what we can learn about their heritage, and plan how this can help us better manage their future. Happier Blue Spaces was a chance to do this in a creative and research driven way, whilst providing opportunities for our communities to progress and celebrate their area. Working with partners across the city, Happier Blue Spaces, and the subsequent projects coming after, offered an opportunity for creative learning and increasing community access to spaces city-wide.
Opportunities to get involved included:
Free training for community volunteers, eg first aid training
Monthly creative fun days using art to explore natural heritage, based at Teats Hill Park and Beach or in the National Marine Aquarium
Go and Sees to other environmentally focused community and art projects, with free transport and refreshments
Children and family focussed art activity looking at Happier Blue Spaces themes.
Happier Blue Spaces was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
