Bupa Foundation launches Healthy Cities campaign to boost urban access to green spaces and promote health in the UK

Schools, charities and community groups invited to apply for green grants during June

Today, Bupa Foundation has announced the launch of its 2024 Healthy Cities campaign, which encourages people to adopt healthy, long-term habits in their daily lives while preserving and regenerating green spaces.

During June, Bupa’s employees, partners, and customers will participate in a 30-day walking challenge to promote the benefits of being outdoors in nature and fundraise for green initiatives. The collective effort will unlock up to £750,000 from the Bupa Foundation to support local green projects across the UK.

Bupa is encouraging schools and charities to apply for this funding through its Green Community Grants scheme. Applications for up to £2000 to fund green projects are open and can be made throughout June at bupafoundation.org/green-community-grants.

Healthy Cities runs across 24 countries and is part of Bupa’s commitment to supporting one million people in improving their health each year by 2025 through environmental restoration and regeneration.

Last year, Bupa Foundation supported over 230 projects across the UK, directly benefiting more than 142,000 people. Schools, community groups and charities received funding for outdoor classrooms, sensory gardens, food banks, allotments, playgrounds and other green space improvements. Globally, the challenge involved 80,000 participants from 24 countries, resulting in a £2 million investment in projects such as forest creation, school green grants, coastal clean-ups, and ecosystem restoration.

One of last year’s grant recipients, Stephens and George Centenary Charitable Trust, shared, “The funding from Bupa’s Green Community Grant has transformed our space from a mere patch of grey and concrete land into a vibrant area of community activity, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to connect, learn, and grow. Its positive impact resonates not only in the physical transformation of the space but also in the smiles, laughter, and sense of belonging it brings to those who use it.”

Anna Russell, Director of the Bupa Foundation, added: “Our Healthy Cities challenge focuses on encouraging people to adopt long-term healthy habits that contribute to our own individual health while preserving and regenerating our green spaces around us. 

“We are pleased to offer even more grants to organisations across the UK in 2024 to help improve their outdoor spaces and benefit the community. I strongly encourage local groups to apply for this funding, as it’s a good opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both people and planet health.” 

Additionally, Bupa and the Bupa Foundation will support the ‘We Invented the Weekend’ free festival in Salford on 15 and 16 June. At the festival, Bupa will host a ‘We Get Healthy’ stand, featuring Bupa clinicians and activities such as organised runs, dance-a-thons, and a family-friendly mini-marathon. Everyone’s efforts will unlock additional funding for local green causes, furthering the mission to make cities healthier.

For more information about the Healthy Cities campaign and how to apply for the Green Community Grants, visit bupafoundation.org/green-community-grants.