benefits of green spaces
Ecotherapy, green gym, Nature Assisted Therapy, Social and Therapeutic Horticulture and several others are just some of the terms used to describe approaches of using nature and the outdoors to improve well being.
We all know getting out in the fresh air, whether for a walk or just to sit and feel the sunshine on your skin, does us good in lots of different ways.Below are links to various sites that back this up, with examples, reports, research and evidence on various aspects of how being in a natural environment benefits us all. There are also links on how community based green space activities can improve our communities and society.
Improving health and wellbeing
National Institute for Care and Excellence - various evidence based reports on benefits of nature & horticulture therapy
World Health Organisation Report - outlining physical & mental benefits of using urban green spaces.
Benefits of eco-therapy - mental health charity Mind describes benefits of Eco-therapy.
Green Gyms - general information on health benefits
Young onset dementia - how gardening helps
Health benefits of Gardening - Kings Fund Commissioned report
Why we need contact with Nature - Guardian article on benefits of being in contact with nature
Environmental benefits
Natural Resources Wales report - includes health & community benefits also
Groundworks UK - information on environmental & other benefits of green spaces
Wildlife in towns and cities - Middlesex & Herts Wildlife Trust report on Living Landscapes
Community & social benefits
Green Infrastructure in Wales - Wildlife Trusts Wales report - includes range of benefits of green infrastructure in Wales
Social interaction & cohesion - Forestry Commission report on how green spaces have social benefits
Tackling inequality - Design Council report on how urban green spaces tackle inequality
Overcoming loneliness & social isolation - example of how a community gardening project tackles loneliness
Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour - US report on how community green spaces reduce crime
Green Space Community Engagement Case study - report into local community engagement project in Scotland
Community integration - asylum seeker and refugee project in Manchester
We all know getting out in the fresh air, whether for a walk or just to sit and feel the sunshine on your skin, does us good in lots of different ways.Below are links to various sites that back this up, with examples, reports, research and evidence on various aspects of how being in a natural environment benefits us all. There are also links on how community based green space activities can improve our communities and society.
Improving health and wellbeing
National Institute for Care and Excellence - various evidence based reports on benefits of nature & horticulture therapy
World Health Organisation Report - outlining physical & mental benefits of using urban green spaces.
Benefits of eco-therapy - mental health charity Mind describes benefits of Eco-therapy.
Green Gyms - general information on health benefits
Young onset dementia - how gardening helps
Health benefits of Gardening - Kings Fund Commissioned report
Why we need contact with Nature - Guardian article on benefits of being in contact with nature
Environmental benefits
Natural Resources Wales report - includes health & community benefits also
Groundworks UK - information on environmental & other benefits of green spaces
Wildlife in towns and cities - Middlesex & Herts Wildlife Trust report on Living Landscapes
Community & social benefits
Green Infrastructure in Wales - Wildlife Trusts Wales report - includes range of benefits of green infrastructure in Wales
Social interaction & cohesion - Forestry Commission report on how green spaces have social benefits
Tackling inequality - Design Council report on how urban green spaces tackle inequality
Overcoming loneliness & social isolation - example of how a community gardening project tackles loneliness
Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour - US report on how community green spaces reduce crime
Green Space Community Engagement Case study - report into local community engagement project in Scotland
Community integration - asylum seeker and refugee project in Manchester