Rooted in nature: scaling up a programme of nature-based activities for a diverse group of young people in Middlesbrough
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Population Health Sciences Institute
Abstract
The health and wellbeing benefits of nature-based activity programmes offered to young people are commonly accepted. However researchers do not fully understand what works and how, so nature-based programmes need to be evaluated. Our research project is based in Middlesbrough and will use arts-based and traditional research methods to understand: i) which features of a nature-based programme are most valued by young people (aged 13-24 years) and nature-based workers; ii) what is needed to effectively manage a nature-based programme so that it can be adapted to other places; and iii) how such programmes can be strengthened in the future.
Our project has three connected stages that will be conducted over 12 months.
We will invite people involved in nature-based programmes, including young people and nature-based practitioners, to join our advisory group so they can help co-design and guide our research. We will offer research skills training to our young advisors so that they are supported to be involved in all aspects of the project.
Stage 1: In a series of consultations, we asked young people involved in nature-based activities provided by our community partners how they would like to take part in a research project. They told us they would like to use photography as a way to engage in the research. We will therefore use an arts-based method called photo-elicitation to understand the features of a nature-based programme that are most valued by young people, and how this might relate to health. We will also invite the practitioners providing nature-based activities to take part in a walking interview so they can show us the activities they run and tell us in their own words what is important to them, and why.
Stage 2: We also want to improve understanding about the ingredients of a successful nature-based programme. To do this, we will invite the people who are responsible for providing nature-based programmes across the North East and North Cumbria to complete an online survey. In the survey they can describe how their existing nature-based programmes work, and what obstacles they face. The findings will help us identify ways to improve what already exists.
Stage 3: Our researcher will be based within the Middlesbrough community to help us understand what matters to the people who live and work there, and to help them understand how our research works, so that we can help each other. We will invite the people involved nature-based programmes to two meetings where we will agree on the best ways to work together, and to create a plan on how we will take action to overcome any challenges faced in keeping nature-based activities running successfully.
We will share findings with the public and organisations involved in nature-based activities for health to start a conversation about how such programmes can be optimised and expanded across the region and the country. We will also use the findings as a foundation for a larger project to test the improvements identified to existing nature-based programmes in different places, and to encourage others to consider similar approaches in their region.
Our project has three connected stages that will be conducted over 12 months.
We will invite people involved in nature-based programmes, including young people and nature-based practitioners, to join our advisory group so they can help co-design and guide our research. We will offer research skills training to our young advisors so that they are supported to be involved in all aspects of the project.
Stage 1: In a series of consultations, we asked young people involved in nature-based activities provided by our community partners how they would like to take part in a research project. They told us they would like to use photography as a way to engage in the research. We will therefore use an arts-based method called photo-elicitation to understand the features of a nature-based programme that are most valued by young people, and how this might relate to health. We will also invite the practitioners providing nature-based activities to take part in a walking interview so they can show us the activities they run and tell us in their own words what is important to them, and why.
Stage 2: We also want to improve understanding about the ingredients of a successful nature-based programme. To do this, we will invite the people who are responsible for providing nature-based programmes across the North East and North Cumbria to complete an online survey. In the survey they can describe how their existing nature-based programmes work, and what obstacles they face. The findings will help us identify ways to improve what already exists.
Stage 3: Our researcher will be based within the Middlesbrough community to help us understand what matters to the people who live and work there, and to help them understand how our research works, so that we can help each other. We will invite the people involved nature-based programmes to two meetings where we will agree on the best ways to work together, and to create a plan on how we will take action to overcome any challenges faced in keeping nature-based activities running successfully.
We will share findings with the public and organisations involved in nature-based activities for health to start a conversation about how such programmes can be optimised and expanded across the region and the country. We will also use the findings as a foundation for a larger project to test the improvements identified to existing nature-based programmes in different places, and to encourage others to consider similar approaches in their region.
Organisations
- Newcastle University (Lead Research Organisation)
- Medical Research Council (Co-funder)
- Middlesbrough Environment City (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Middlesbrough Borough Council (Collaboration)
- Youth Focus: North East (Project Partner)
- Middlesbrough Council (Project Partner)
- Wildlife Trusts (Project Partner)
- Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind (Project Partner)
| Title | Using the NIHR Community Engagement Toolkit on the ground |
| Description | A visual narrative combining text and visuals from the RiN study created by our embedded researcher Charley McFarlane-Troy. It consists of personal reflections from Charley on the embedded researcher experience alongside our RiN partners, with multiple interjecting voices and views from nature-based practitioners and university researchers, including photographs taken by Charley of the nature-based landscapes and activities in which the research project was situated and delivered. |
| Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Impact | A RiN creative output demonstrating the principles of NIHR Research Support Service's (NIHR RSS) Community Engagement Toolkit was reported by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration as one of their most publicly viewed webpages at national level during 2023. |
| URL | https://arc-nenc.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Blog_-NIHR-Engagement-Toolkit-in-action.pdf |
| Description | Our collaborative and interdisciplinary 'Rooted in Nature' (RiN) pilot study was delivered in Middlesbrough, North East England. RiN used arts-based methods (photo-elicitation and creative workshops) alongside traditional research methods (mapping, survey) to understand: i. which features of a nature-based programme were seen as beneficial for health by young people and nature-based practitioners; ii. what green infrastructure was needed to effectively manage a nature-based programme so that it can be adapted to other places; and iii. what were the barriers to delivery, implementation and sustainability of nature-based initiatives for young people's health. Organisations providing nature-based activities to improve young people's health across the North East were mapped (n=38) then practitioners were invited to complete an online survey (n=43). RiN practitioners, youth workers and social prescribing link workers were also invited to take part in a walking interview (n=8). A range of activities were reported including food growing, arts and crafts, conservation, education, sports, and community improvement. Outcomes included improvements in physical and mental health, self-confidence, connection to nature and community-based networks. Secondary outcomes included increased awareness of support, improved coping mechanisms, re-engagement in education, conservationism and compassion for wildlife, understanding of ecology, and knowledge of food production. Implementation barriers included short-term funding, lack of capacity and trained staff, lack of access to shared data and outcome frameworks, high costs of travel and equipment costs for users, lack of suitable community spaces to host activities, lack of funding for administrative time, lack of internal resources to develop programmes, and difficulties engaging schools and social prescribers. Sustainability barriers included lack of funding, lack of awareness of activities, geographic remoteness of some green spaces, lack of access to transport to reach green spaces, lack of volunteers, and a lack of understanding on how to integrate with health systems. It was not feasible to conduct follow-up interviews as part of our photo-elicitation study with young participants in the neighbourhood setting (n=5) due to no access to indoor space during winter months. From interviews conducted with participants in the school setting (n=6), the first theme to be identified was how engaging in nature-themed activities offered an opportunity for exploring, learning and understanding the optimal environmental conditions necessary for survival, growth and health, with mixed views on whether the inclusion of technology amplified such benefits. The second theme highlighted the importance of taking responsibility for ecological conservationism, viewed as a reciprocal and sustained exchange between people and nature to preserve the future for all. The third theme addressed how photography in nature was a way to alleviate boredom and stress as engagement with nature was an infinite source for creativity, curiosity and adventure. Overall, Stage 1 of RiN demonstrated how opportunities for young people to access nature for health exist, with potential health and planetary benefits, however barriers to access, delivery and sustainability need to be addressed before such initiatives can be commissioned and prescribed by our health and care system. |
| Exploitation Route | A RiN network and a team of multi-sector and public partners was built through our AHRC-funded pilot study. Building on learning from the pilot study, for Stage 2 of RiN our expanded team will seek to co-develop a shared green health vision, infrastructure and strategy for North East England that identifies and mobilises local natural assets in ways that align with local contexts, needs and health priorities. Multi-dimensional, mixed methods and interdisciplinary research that is equitably co-designed with young people and practitioners will identify the key ingredients, the underlying neuro-bio-psycho-social mechanisms and outcomes of specific nature-based activities, to understand how they work, under which circumstances and for whom, as well as dose-response relationships. Identifying which characteristics of ecology and conservationism are viewed by young people and practitioners as optimising health, and how, will inform the design of future interventions to benefit both human and planetary health. We will identify the best methods for valuing the cost-effectiveness of the benefits of nature for health and biodiversity, so it that can be compared with alternatives, to inform future investments. Stage 2 will also make use of co-designed gamified nature-based apps to explore how technology could facilitate connection with local nature. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Environment Healthcare |
| Description | A RiN creative output demonstrating the principles of NIHR Research Support Service's (NIHR RSS) Community Engagement Toolkit was reported by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration as one of their most publicly viewed webpages at national level during 2023. The output, created by RiN embedded researcher Charley McFarlane-Troy, has been used as an exemplar of positive university - VCSE partnership working by Voluntary Organisations' Network North East (VONNE) to help researchers and VCSE organisations understand how to work with each other equitably, and to 'demystify' the research process. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Environment,Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Rooted in Nature - Middlesbrough Council |
| Organisation | Middlesbrough Borough Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | - Building research capabilities and capacity. - Sharing research outputs for learning and best practice. - Building a network of nature-based practitioners and organisations to share knowledge and best practice. |
| Collaborator Contribution | - Contributing to five advisory group meetings. - Guiding the research in line with public health priorities for Middlesbrough. - Sharing knowledge of existing green social prescribing providers across Middlesbrough to inform the mapping exercise. - Reviewing the research findings to make sure they are relevant and translatable to Middlesbrough. - Contributing towards the development of future funding bids. |
| Impact | Ongoing. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Rooted in Nature - Middlesbrough Environment City |
| Organisation | Middlesbrough Environment City |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | - Building research capabilities and capacity. - Familiarity with research methods. - Building a network of nature-based practitioners and organisations to share knowledge and best practice. |
| Collaborator Contribution | - Helped guide the priorities and focus of the research. - Attended five advisory group meetings. - Ensured the voices of nature-based practitioners are heard and our community-based nature ethos is accurately represented by the research. - Advised on the safeguarding and recruitment of participants. - Contextualising the relevance of the research findings to Middlesbrough. |
| Impact | Ongoing |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Creating equitable university-VCSE partnerships: Rooted in Nature. North Cumbria Engaging with diverse communities in research event. NIHR Clinical Research Network & Cumbria University. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | In November VCSE organisations and academic researchers came together in Carlisle to learn about the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Community Engagement Toolkit. Discussions saw delegates using their collective experiences to develop ideas for practical tools that could support people to apply the NIHR Toolkit in practice. Some fantastic ideas emerged, including developing a set of key questions for VCSE organisations to ask researchers who approach them about a project; a platform for sharing research opportunities and to help potential partners connect with the right people; and a jargon buster of key terms, organisation names and acronyms. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.vonne.org.uk/engaging-diverse-communities-health-and-wellbeing-research |
| Description | Creating equitable university-VCSE partnerships: Rooted in Nature. Putting Principles into Practice. Launching NIHR Community Engagement Toolkit event. One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | On Wednesday 12th July, a wide range of representatives from the VCSE sector and academic researchers met at One Strawberry Lane in Newcastle City Centre. The purpose of the event, co-hosted by VONNE and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) partners, was to explore ways for researchers and VCSE organisations to work better together to address health challenges in the North East and North Cumbria. A national toolkit was introduced and the event provided a forum for people to share their experience and expertise to build on this to create a regional code of practice. The hope is that this code of practice will support more sustainable and mutually beneficial VCSE research partnerships. The event was a joint project between VONNE and local NIHR organisations, and included a broad range of presentations and videos in the morning which shared experiences of partnerships from many different perspectives. Presenters offered some fascinating insights and observations to inform further discussion and work in tandem with the toolkit - including real world examples of projects and partnerships, with many speakers sharing their own innovative and creative approaches. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.vonne.org.uk/putting-principles-practice-engaging-diverse-communities-health-and-wellbei... |
| Description | Green social prescribing for young people in the North East & North Cumbria. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The research team led a session on 'Green social prescribing for young people in the North East & North Cumbria' at the Fuse (the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health) Physical Activity Workshop on 25th January. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | http://www.fuse.ac.uk/events/physicalactivityworkshops/previous%20events/ |
| Description | Published blog at Middlesbrough & Stockton Mind, the National Centre for Creative Health, and NIHR ARC NENC. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Our blogs are an account of our arts-based workshop which aimed to identify the barriers to delivering nature-based activities. Our accessible blogs garnered the attention of nature-based organisations across the North East and North Cumbria, who we met with, and it was clear that we share a common vision. The blog enabled us to communicate with practitioners and organisations we would have otherwise not encountered, and to identify regional study partners for Stage 2 of Rooted in Nature. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
| URL | https://ncch.org.uk/blog/rooted-in-nature |
| Description | Putting the NIHR Community Engagement Toolkit into practice 'on the ground' as part of the Rooted in Nature project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A RiN creative output demonstrating the principles of NIHR Research Support Service's (NIHR RSS) Community Engagement Toolkit was reported by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration as one of their most publicly viewed webpages at national level during 2023. The output, created by RiN embedded researcher Charley McFarlane-Troy, has been used as an exemplar of positive university - VCSE partnership working by Voluntary Organisations' Network North East (VONNE) where it has been used to help researchers and VCSE organisations understand how to work with each other equitably, or to 'demystify' the research process. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://arc-nenc.nihr.ac.uk/news/rooted-in-nature-community-engagement/ |
| Description | Rooted in Nature - Fuse Physical Activity Pop up Workshop: The role of nature in increasing physical activity, improving health & reducing inequalities. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Fuse Physical Activity Network workshops aim to build research capacity in physical activity related public health research for those working in policy, practice and academia by sharing knowledge, providing networking opportunities, and stimulating debate across sector boundaries. Each workshop typically attracts around 80 delegates, and features nationally and internationally renowned speakers from academia, policy and practice. Academics have been hosted from universities across the UK and overseas, as well as speakers from local authorities, NHS trusts, community and voluntary organisations. Speakers have disseminated a range of innovative research findings and local initiatives. In addition, the workshops have provided an opportunity for early career researchers to develop their presentation skills and network with leaders in their field of expertise. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KbetuwZBV0 |
| Description | Rooted in Nature - Thriving Communities Green Social prescribing webinar. Organised by VONNE & the National Academy for Social Prescribing. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | We were invited to present RiN by Voluntary Organisations' Network North East who were appointed Regional Lead of the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) Thriving Communities programme. As the profile of nature-based interventions grows, and the evidence of the effectiveness of green and blue social prescribing on health and wellbeing continues to amass nationally, the Thriving Communities team brought together colleagues from across the North East and Yorkshire region to showcase some of the amazing work, networks, and mapping that has been taking place in our region recently and to highlight how viewers and listeners could connect into this work moving forward. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fav1EhsnuP4 |
| Description | Rooted in Nature presentation at Royal Geographical Society Annual International Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Two members of the research team orally presented Rooted in Nature at the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.rgs.org/geography/news/rgs-ibg-annual-international-conference-2022/ |
| Description | Rooted in Nature workshop - Nature-based social prescribing: possibilities, pitfalls & partnerships |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | A 3 hour arts-based workshop took place on Thursday 29th September 2022 in the Community Hall at Middlesbrough & Stockton Mind. The workshop was designed to bring together a range of regional stakeholders including young people, community advocacy groups, nature-based practitioners, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Integrated Care Partnerships, Health and Wellbeing Boards, GP practices, social prescribing services and link workers, social workers and researchers. The aim was to identify the challenges of joint working and barriers to delivery nature-based activities for young people. The workshop included three short presentations, which were followed by a session on photo-elicitation using visual outputs from our Rooted in Nature study. Group work followed, which was facilitated by the research team. A visual artist illustrated in real-time the main themes raised by attendees to promote communication, shared understanding and dialogue amongst participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Rooted in Nature. NIHR ARC NENC's Strengthening mental health research and practice in our region. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This event brought together researchers, practitioners, mental health service providers and commissioners from two mental health trusts - Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust and Tees Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust - alongside the Integrated Care System (ICS) for the North East and North Cumbria, as well as members of the public and service users, to showcase research linked to mental health - including research into areas of unmet need. Approximately 80 people attended the in-person conference at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 9th November 2023, and of those around 25 attended our RiN talk. We (El Zerbi & McFarlane-Troy) were approached afterwards by mental health professionals working with adults who were interested in the benefits of nature for mental health, who took our contact details. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://arc-nenc.nihr.ac.uk/mh-conference-round-up/ |
| Description | Two Rooted in Nature School Days at Newcastle University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Our embedded researcher arranged two day events at the university for pupils (n=83, aged 16-17 years) from two secondary schools in Sunderland to learn more about our Rooted in Nature study as well as co-produced and interdisciplinary applied health research. We invited the university school outreach team who delivered a presentation on initiatives in place to reduce the impact of economic barriers preventing young people from going to university. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |