Campaigning in the community for cleaner air

Key partnership information

Partner: Mums for Lungs

Funding amount: £55,000 (including £10,000 grants plus support)

Duration: July 2020 – December 2021

Programme: health effects of air pollution

What we’re doing together

We are supporting Mums for Lungs with flexible, core funding to grow its impact locally and as part of the wider clean air movement in the UK.

Aims of the partnership

• Engage with schools about the health impacts of air pollution, particularly those in more polluted areas. Strategies include reaching out to headteachers at schools, to residents associations, and places of worship to offer tailored assemblies, 1 to 1 support, and webinars
• To raise awareness amongst all demographics, but especially those who may not be contributing as much to air pollution but suffering the effects most
• To push for both Lambeth and Southwark councils to show greater ambition on measures to reduce air pollution such as enable active travel and School Streets
• To support the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) expansion and to push for stronger clean air targets in the upcoming Environment Bill, including by lobbying for commitments by London mayoral candidates
• Develop and grow smaller campaigns that aim to reduce air pollution by focusing on car advertising, home deliveries, home working after lockdown, and wood-burning in urban areas
• Enable Mums for Lungs to empower other parents to form their own, sustainable, clean air parent group that delivers change

Connection to our strategy

In the develop phase of the health effects of air pollution programme, we have been exploring how we can best influence school environments as children are one of the most vulnerable groups to air pollution. We think an important route to schools acting is pressure from parents. 

Additionally, 2020 and 2021 are critical years for clean air campaigning at a local and national level. The Environment Bill and COP26 have been postponed, and there is a key opportunity to influence as the UK emerges from lockdown.

This funding for Mums for Lungs will enable them to continue growing their impact and shore up their long-term sustainability in line with the aims of our urban health programme.