Green Walks: Healthy Ageing
Lead Research Organisation:
Anglia Ruskin University
Department Name: Fac of Arts, Humanities & Social Sci
Abstract
During and post Covid-19 lockdowns, the importance of access to green spaces for mental health has been highlighted. However, in the UK, we have deeply entrenched disparities in access to green spaces. A majority of care users over 64 and/or from non-white backgrounds do not believe they have local greenspaces within easy walking distance.
Green Walks will aid the UK population in finding greenspaces within easy walking distance of their homes, signposting environmental changes (such as flowers coming into bloom or local events) as incentive to get out of the house, and accompany care-users on their walks
The project will generate a green view database, using AI tools to extract images from existing mapping platforms to calculate the amount of visible green space along roads
The team will co-design a web-based AI search interface and mobile app together with social prescribing link workers and end users to generate personalised walks to and from home, through areas with the highest green views
The app will use spatialised audio to guide the user along the walk, as well as providing social accompaniment, and quick access to help and/or companionship. It will monitor the user's progress through GPS, motion data, and quick self-reported mental health cues.
The project contains a citizen-science element allowing stakeholders to add areas of interest, areas to be avoided, community information, and incentives for care users to get out of the house and into green environments and will interpret data about use of the green spaces by other users.
Green Walks will aid the UK population in finding greenspaces within easy walking distance of their homes, signposting environmental changes (such as flowers coming into bloom or local events) as incentive to get out of the house, and accompany care-users on their walks
The project will generate a green view database, using AI tools to extract images from existing mapping platforms to calculate the amount of visible green space along roads
The team will co-design a web-based AI search interface and mobile app together with social prescribing link workers and end users to generate personalised walks to and from home, through areas with the highest green views
The app will use spatialised audio to guide the user along the walk, as well as providing social accompaniment, and quick access to help and/or companionship. It will monitor the user's progress through GPS, motion data, and quick self-reported mental health cues.
The project contains a citizen-science element allowing stakeholders to add areas of interest, areas to be avoided, community information, and incentives for care users to get out of the house and into green environments and will interpret data about use of the green spaces by other users.
