Title: Counting birds and bees: promoting wellbeing of older people through engagement with nature-based conservation activities
Funder: Dunhill Medical Trust

Abstract: Engaging with nature benefits the health and wellbeing of older people (Dahlkvist et al., 2016; Finlay et al., 2015). Nearby nature can increase physical activity (Ambrey, 2016). Passive as well as active exposure to nature can support recovery from negative mood (Bowler, 2010) and improve cognitive functioning (Ohly et al, 2016). Some forms of nature-engagement can also contribute to eudaimonic wellbeing (autonomy, competence, relatedness; Ryan & Deci, 2001) by improving social contact (Cleary et al., 2017) and providing a sense of purpose and self-efficacy (Husk et al., 2016). However, it is not always clear what works best for who and how, and specific benefits will vary with type of engagement and individual needs and abilities. We hypothesise that a well-designed citizen science conservation project, tailored to different needs and abilities of older people, can encourage nature-engagement and support health and wellbeing. The proposed case study project will be carried out at Whiteley Village, a retirement village for people of limited means, housing approximately 500 residents. It is set in 225 acres of natural gardens and woodland. We will work with residents (20) and conservation experts to co-design four tailored interventions (passive vs active and solitary or group based: e.g., watching birds through the window or going on group walks). A field study (N=80) will quantitatively test the impact of involvement with these interventions (compared to an active control group) on wellbeing (e.g., mood, cognitive functioning, a sense of purpose, physical activity). Additional qualitative analyses will provide in-depth insight into intervention experiences. The project will examine 1) what motivates and constraints nature engagement among older people, 2) whether co-designed nature conservation interventions can increase such engagement, and 3) if and how such interventions can support the health and wellbeing of older people. The project will contribute to theory development by testing what works, how and for who. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a set of guidelines for future nature-based interventions that are acceptable, feasible, affordable and effective in promoting nature-engagement and supporting the health and wellbeing of older people.

Lay abstract: At the end of January each year the RSPB holds its big garden birdwatch. More than 400,000 people counted more than 6 million birds in 2018. All of these people will have spent some time interacting with nature; some while looking through the window from a comfy seat in their homes, others while walking through their local park. These activities benefit conservation science as well as individual health and wellbeing. Increasing evidence supports the health benefits of nature engagement. Spending time in nature, going for a walk in the woods, planting flowers in the garden or watching scenes of nature from the window have all been shown to improve mood and cognitive functioning. In addition, some nature-based activities can provide people with a sense of purpose, support social interactions, and encourage physical activity. The benefits of nature-engagement will depend on the environment, the activity, as well as people’s needs, abilities and motivations. Not everybody has the same ability or inclination to go outdoors. A key challenge for success is to develop interventions that people are motivated to take up and have a lasting effect on nature engagement. We propose that working with older people to develop interventions tailored to their needs and abilities will make them more effective, acceptable and successful. We anticipate creating 8-week nature-conservation activities that are based on existing interventions and vary in required level of physical activity and social engagement. For instance, some people may count birds on their own, while looking through their window while others may engage in group walks. The project will be carried out at Whiteley Village, a retirement village for people of limited means, housing approximately 500 residents. It is set in 225 acres of beautiful natural gardens and woodland. This project aims to encourage use of this outdoor space to help support the health and wellbeing of residents. We will work with residents, local gardening teams and the Surrey Wildlife Trust to develop the interventions and test their impact on a range of outcomes such as residents’ mood, cognitive functioning, sense of purpose, levels of social contact and physical activity. The outcomes of the study will be used to develop guidelines for the development of further nature-based interventions that can benefit a wide range of older people and can be implemented by different (conservation and care) organisations to support their work.

Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE;MENTAL HEALTH