Sharing Learning

Green Tree Arts Studio in Moray is focusing on combining the arts, nature, and online/outdoor connectivity. Art & Nature Connections is about engaging participants with the natural world and creative activity. The researcher will support co-researchers (including participants and facilitators) to help capture learning and develop research skills, using a range of creative and digital tools, helping to gain invaluable insights to share with others. By offering a series of online/outdoor creative workshops, the project is providing a safe space for self-expression and exploration, bringing together the community and researcher to discover how the arts, nature and technology can enhance mental wellbeing.

Oldham Libraries is bringing together South Asian Women and children, running creative and physical activities to spark conversations and exploration around mental wellbeing, physical health, and parenting. Researchers from the University of Manchester will share their knowledge on mental and physical wellbeing, and co-create workshops to meet both the women’s and children’s needs. Through a diverse range of activities including theatre, art, yoga, and walking, the programme is celebrating creativity and encouraging conversations about the shared experiences of the community through the pandemic.

This project is recruiting and training volunteer dads to engage with other local fathers to identify issues and facilitate programmes to support each other’s mental wellbeing. The project is working with a researcher to train a group of dads to become peer researchers who will be able to gather information about the needs and interests of others in a similar position in order to inform the approach. By offering a supportive and collaborative environment, the project is improving the confidence and skills of dads in the local area and highlights the positive force they are in the lives of their children and wider community.

This multi-stage project is working with patients of a local GP practice to help them discover their own strength and capabilities, leading to an improved sense of self and mental wellbeing. Through peer-support groups, and input from their researcher, the patients are being supported to become ‘peer researchers’ to help explore barriers and enablers to wellbeing, helping co-design a programme for wider rollout.

Focusing on those seeking refuge or asylum in Hull, this project is helping to develop a supportive network and community.
This is primarily achieved by the creation of a safe space for members to participate in workshops, share their stories and attend informal classes provided by researchers, like teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL). They will also receive support from researchers in understanding the needs and assets of the community. The main focus of the project is for the members of the community to take ownership of the space and use it to how they best see fit to enhance their mental wellbeing.

The project is aiming to regenerate and replenish a 17 acre park in Hull whilst also developing new activities that can benefit mental wellbeing, such as nature trails, gardening and musical classes. They have partnered with a researcher who will assist in co-designing a work plan, and identifying gaps in knowledge. By engaging in the redevelopment of the park, the project is improving relationships and creating a stronger sense of community.

This project is promoting the voices of children, young people, and their families to determine how they can get the most from their local green spaces and how it can improve their mental wellbeing. They are working with a researcher who has expertise in working with children and young people to improve their connectivity to their environment. The group will host events including picnics, drop-ins and coffee mornings to help facilitate dialogue and co-produce a vision for their community.