Journal
HEALTHCARE
Volume 10, Issue 6, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10060978
Keywords
nature-based activities; nature exposure; conservation; wellbeing; social prescribing
Funding
- University of Westminster, Health Innovation and Wellbeing Research Community
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This study examines the impact of engaging in nature-based activities on wellbeing. The findings suggest that participating in Green Gym activities leads to significant increases in wellbeing, which can last for a considerable amount of time. Those who continued to engage in Green Gym activities tended to be more deprived, while those who did not continue were typically younger and less deprived.
The wellbeing benefits of engaging in a nature-based programme, delivered by the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector, were examined in this study. Prior to attending The Conservation Volunteers' Green Gym (TM), attendees (n = 892) completed demographics, health characteristics and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Short-Form Scale. Attendees (n = 253, 28.4%) provided a measure on average 4.5 months later. There were significant increases in wellbeing after engaging in Green Gym, with the greatest increases in those who had the lowest starting levels of wellbeing. Wellbeing increases were sustained on average 8.5 months and 13 months later in those providing a follow up measure (n = 92, n = 40, respectively). Attendees who continued to engage in Green Gym but not provide follow up data (n = 318, 35.7%) tended to be more deprived, female and self-report a health condition. Attendees who did not continue to engage in Green Gym (n = 321, 36.0%) tended to be less deprived and younger. These findings provide evidence of the wellbeing benefits of community nature-based activities and social ('green') prescribing initiatives and indicate that Green Gym targets some groups most in need.
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