Opening doors to nature: Bringing calm and raising aspirations of vulnerable young people through nature-based intervention
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YMCA_UDORA.docx
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Abstract
This qualitative study explores the experiences of YMCA residents who participated in a nature-based intervention designed to support wellbeing run by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and YMCA Derbyshire. The intervention ran over 9 weeks and involved taking groups of residents off site for a range of outdoor activities from allotment gardening to nature conservation in various outdoor environments. After the intervention took place semi-structured interviews, which explored the personal journeys of 8 residents who had participated in the intervention, were conducted. An IPA analysis of the interviews identified three superordinate themes: building social relationships, developing skills and developing feelings of self-worth and managing emotions through nature. It is argued that the intervention enabled the residents to feel part of a supportive community which enabled a positive shift in identity. Furthermore, the programme helped residents manage their emotions, supporting their mental health and promoting a general sense of wellbeing. This is especially important, given that members of the intervention have a history of mental health issues and often come from a background of higher socio-economic deprivation, where opportunities for social cohesion and nature connectedness are scarce.Citation
Richardson, M., Richardson, E., Hallam, J., & Ferguson, F. J. (2019) 'Opening doors to nature: Bringing calm and raising aspirations of vulnerable young people through nature-based intervention'. The Humanistic Psychologist, pp. 1-28. DOI: 10.1037/hum0000148:Publisher
American Psychological AssociationJournal
The Humanistic Psychologist.DOI
10.1037/hum0000148Additional Links
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fhum0000148Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
08873267EISSN
15473333ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1037/hum0000148
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