How green spaces impact young basketballers
Young basketball players in South London talk about the importance of urban green spaces to them in their daily lives and how they offer a sanctuary from the bustle of the big city.
Video shot and produced by Sofia Alleyne and Kaleriia Adriienko
Stepping Outside with Theo: Why Green Spaces Matter More Than Ever
It is easy to spend our spare time at home, it’s free and we can constantly entertain ourselves with the black hole of social media.
As British springtime approaches, however, it becomes harder to ignore the pull of the outdoors. Birds chirping and warmth on the face. The fresh air is inviting.
In a city like London, where public space is crowded and life moves quickly, free green spaces take on a vital role. They offer an escape from the busy streets as well as a place for movement and community.
Burgess Park in South London is one such space. Open, active and essential to the people who live locally. Theo is a 19-year-old basketball enthusiast who regularly spends his time practising his hobby in this park. He sometimes plays alone but often finds himself joining others at the courts. “I made a lot of new friends that I’ve met through outdoor spaces,” he says. “When you go outside it lets you meet people… you can become friends and actually bond that way.”
For Theo, the park offers opportunities to build lasting connections, particularly in an era where in-person interaction is declining, places like Burgess Park provide more for society than many may assume. He believes that by spending time in these spaces “you are not only benefiting yourself, but you are benefiting those around you,” highlighting the wider impact of simply being present in shared environments.
In a culture increasingly shaped by technology, his perspective reflects a growing awareness of the need to step away from screens and reconnect with the physical world to, “try your best and make an effort to go outside.”
It is also free to spend time in green spaces, making them one of the most accessible resources in the city. “A lot of people tend to stay indoors because, especially living in London, going outside is way too expensive for some.” Theo says.
In a city where a third of children are growing up in poverty, access to free and open environments is not just beneficial, but necessary. For many families, green spaces provide a rare opportunity for recreation without financial pressure, somewhere to exercise and spend time outside without cost.
“We’re moving, we’re working out, staying healthy and I think that overall, it is important in terms of keeping up with your fitness and just making sure you get some fresh air,” Theo says. London is hectic and fast-paced, spaces like this offer a rare sense of ease. As many activities come with a cost, simply showing up and playing removes both financial and social pressure. There are no bookings or expectations just the freedom to take part.
For Theo and many other young people, this makes something as simple as a game of basketball feel grounding within the chaos of city life.
As the weather gets warmer, these spaces will only get busier. It’s the perfect time to put the phone down, make the most of them and enjoy everything they have to offer.