A centre for change

​Over the past five years, an independent body of research has shown that engagement with nature improves people’s health and wellbeing

The research showed that participating in nature conservation had a positive impact on those with low levels of mental wellbeing. It also showed that general volunteering programmes, and activities targeted at those with a health or social need, are excellent value for money.

Impacts on health
People’s mental wellbeing significantly improved over the 12-week period. Improvements were greatest for people who were new to volunteering programmes. Participants reported enhanced feelings of positivity, increased general health and higher levels of physical activity.

Key findings were
95% of participants with low levels of mental wellbeing when they started a volunteering programme reported an improvement in their mental health in six weeks.
69% of all participants’ mental wellbeing improved after six weeks.
On average there was a statistically significant rise of 8.1%.
Relating to nature the participants reported significant increases in their connection to nature. This was common to all participants, and revealed that deeper, more personal relationships with the natural world could be fostered over a 12-week period

Participants reported positive changes in how they felt about themselves, other people and the importance of nature including:
Increased feelings of pride.
Feeling like valued members of society.
Increased awareness of the importance of nature

The results showed that people who have regular contact with wilder, natural surroundings experienced:
Improvements to health through increased physical activity.
Reductions in stress and anxiety.
Increased positive mood and self-esteem.
A better and healthier social life