How is research important to our work?
Research helps us to ensure that we are doing the right work, in the right places with the right people. It has always been important to us, and our longstanding connections with research specialists connects us with an international knowledge base. Our own research helps us prioritise new work, identifying gaps in need so that we deliver the greatest benefit and avoid duplicating existing services.
What does research say about sensory engagement?
Sensory engagement lies at the heart of much of our work and we are keen to deepen the evidence base showing the health benefits that come from this approach. It was therefore a welcome opportunity to collaborate with specialist researchers from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH) and the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula (Pen-CLAHRC) on a systematic review.
The aim was to assess the health and well-being benefits of outdoor sensory experiences to help us understand how older people, including those living with dementia describe their sensory engagement with nature and the natural environment.
The review was led by the Centre's specialists in systematic reviews and qualitative research, Dr Ruth Garside and Dr Noreen Orr. Through working together we hope to make a contribution to research in health and social science and to establish a deeper evidence base to inform professional practice.
The review has been jointly published and is available to read now at Bio Med Central - How do older people describe their sensory experiences of the natural world? A systematic review of the qualitative evidence.
Research is supporting the healthy ageing of people with dementia
Research showing the major benefits that people with cognitive impairment gain from connecting with nature has underpinned our work in this area, particularly our Creative Spaces dementia work. The benefits are fundamental to living healthier, happier lives. They range from maintaining independence, to improved sleeping and appetite, reduced anxiety and a more resilient outlook. We have collaborated with research programmes, and gathered our own feedback and observations to inform our own work and to share with others.
In 2022, The Practical Handbook of Living with Dementia was published with a chapter written by our community engagement lead, Wendy Brewin, titled "Nature's role as a coping mechanism for people living with dementia". It draws on findings from the Creative Spaces work.
A 2022 research review by Bennett, Wolverson and Price provides a valuable overview of the benefits of the outdoors for people living independently with dementia and features our Creative Spaces dementia work. You can read the review at Me, myself, and nature: living with dementia and connecting with the natural world - more than a breath of fresh air? A literature review. - Abstract - Europe PMC
From 2021-2024 we were a co-investigator in ENLIVEN, a programme exploring how to make outdoor places more accessible and inviting for older people living with cognitive impairment and their families. People with cognitive impairment, organisations and businesses worked with the team to identify the outdoor experiences that bring greatest enjoyment and benefit. It was led by Professor Linda Clare, University of Exeter, with university teams from Brunel, Hertfordshire, Manchester Metropolitan, and Bradford, and Innovations In Dementia and Sensory Trust.
Unlocking Landscapes: history, culture and sensory diversity in landscape use and decision making
Unlocking Landscapes explored the complex ways in which landscapes are meaningful to diverse individuals. People interact with landscapes every day in many different ways, yet decisions about how these landscapes are managed are often based on narrow assumptions about how they are perceived and experienced. It was led by Dr Clare Hickman, Newcastle University and Dr Sarah Bell, University of Exeter. We worked together to produce the report ‘Project Report for Unlocking Landscapes’ which is aimed at anyone involved in landscape management and interpretation.
How do people with sight impairment experience the natural world?
Sensing Nature was a research study exploring the question "How do people living with sight impairment experience nature during their lives?" The work was led by Dr Sarah Bell, University of Exeter, and the results are captured in fascinating insights and guidance materials on the Sensing Nature website. We were involved in an advisory capacity and designing guidance materials and the findings have informed our practice. Research with partners is always a beneficial two-way street.
