How could the plans for Dock Branch Park support resident’s health and wellbeing?

How could the plans for Dock Branch Park support resident’s health and wellbeing?

The Qualitative Insight Team engaged with 40 people between June and September 2023 to understand how the plans for Dock Branch Park (a linear greenspace in Birkenhead) could improve wellbeing for local communities. Participants included people with experience of street drinking, rough sleeping, social isolation or anti-social behaviour. Insight was gathered through informal conversations, research grids and a walking tour. Participants hoped the plans could support health and wellbeing by providing access to nature, wildlife, heritage, social connection, recovery friendly activities, volunteering and job opportunities. Participants emphasised the need for safety, easy access, and inclusion for all.

Insights gathered: June 2023 - September 2023

Insights gathered by

Qualitative Insight Team, Public Health, Wirral Council

Aim

The aim was to understand how people across four target groups experience Birkenhead and how a new linear greenspace could improve their health and wellbeing. The work sought to identify what people would want to see in Dock Branch Park, how they might use it, and what opportunities or concerns they anticipate. The aim of the research was to inform the park design and wider regeneration plans to ensure they are inclusive, meaningful and responsive to community needs.

People engaged with

In total, 40 people were engaged across four target groups, including individuals with experience of rough sleeping, street drinking, social isolation and young people at risk of or involved in anti-social behaviour. Participant’s ages spanned early teens through to late 70s. Participant’s genders included male (26) and female (14).

Methods

The insights were gathered using flexible qualitative methods adapted to participants’ needs. The team visited community cafés, local organisations and services in Birkenhead to hold informal, semi‑structured conversations supported by research grids (a set of predetermined questions) and a project leaflet that had visuals of the park plans. A walking tour of the Dock Branch railway cutting was also conducted with young residents to help visualise the proposed greenspace. Participants were asked core questions about how they currently use Birkenhead and their opinions and hopes for Dock Branch Park. Additional tailored questions explored experiences of rough sleeping, street drinking, social isolation and anti-social behaviour. Thematic analysis was completed to identify crosscutting themes and experiences across all target groups.

Key insights

Across all groups, many participants welcomed the idea of having a new, accessible linear greenspace, particularly emphasising the value of nature, places to sit, and opportunities to socialise. Desired features included benches, covered areas, water points, bins, accessible ramps, cycle paths, quiet spaces, and facilities such as a café, toilets, and clear signposting. They wished to see wildlife, wildflower meadows and preservation of the railway heritage, including art, murals and features celebrating the site’s history.

Respondents imagined using the park for walking, cycling, meeting others, attending activities and, for some, supporting mental health and wellbeing. People with experience of rough sleeping and street drinking described how they currently use parks and open spaces to socialise, seek shelter or find quiet areas. Some visualised using the new park for gardening, dog‑walking or “recovery‑friendly” activities such as health walks and community food growing. However, others felt the park would not be designed for them and worried about displacement. For example, participants questioned how people in recovery could use the green space without stigma or judgement from other members of the public, and where those currently using the space for rough sleeping would go. 

Safety was one of the strongest themes. Many respondents described feeling unsafe in parts of Birkenhead, particularly due to anti‑social behaviour. Some participants said their own experiences of homelessness, substance use or social isolation made them vulnerable to harm, while others worried that seeing these issues in the park would discourage them from visiting. People asked for thoughtful design features such as lighting, good visibility, CCTV in the right places, staffed activity areas, and clear opening times. Importantly, some participants had overlapping experiences, such as homelessness and substance use. Some felt that the park must balance safety with avoiding an overly “policed” atmosphere, especially for young people. 

Accessibility was another key consideration. People with mobility challenges discussed the need for ramps, easier access points, and avoidance of steep steps. Travel costs, reduced bus services and long walking distances were also barriers for some in accessing the space itself. Respondents noted that high cost‑of‑living and limited transport options made it difficult to reach parks outside Birkenhead, emphasising the importance of having a local space that feels safe and welcoming. 

Opportunities for spatial design identified by the target groups included volunteering roles, jobs linked to construction, gardening, litter picking, events, or community cafés; spaces for workshops, health and wellbeing activities, and intergenerational socialising; and better connections between the park and community organisations. Young people valued cycling facilities, pump tracks, safe places to meet, and sports areas such as football cages and basketball courts to facilitate opportunities for socialising. 
 
Across all conversations, respondents stressed the need for the park to be inclusive, affordable, safe and designed with the needs of diverse communities in mind. They also highlighted the importance of addressing underlying issues, such as homelessness, substance use, mental health, and lack of youth opportunities, to ensure the park can be a positive and sustainable space.

Quotes

“It needs to feel safe, not like you’re hidden away.”

“A place to clear your head… somewhere calming but fun.”

How have the insights been used/shared?

Insights from this work directly informed Wirral Council’s approach to designing Dock Branch Park and the wider regeneration plans for Birkenhead. Findings have been shared with the Place and Investment team, regeneration leads and community partners to highlight community priorities around safety, accessibility, nature, and inclusive activities. The insights have also supported discussions on addressing barriers such as anti-social behaviour, mobility, and cost‑of‑living pressures. Themes are being used to shape early design principles, engagement approaches and opportunities for community involvement. The insights also provide an evidence base to guide future consultation, ensuring that under‑represented voices continue to influence regeneration plans across Wirral.

Online links

For more information on the Dock Branch Park, visit: https://www.wirral.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/major-projects/dock-branch-park-green-corridor

Contact

qualitativeinsightteam@wirral.gov.uk