Research suggests that older people who volunteer have greater life satisfaction and improved well-being, and that spending time in nature can lead to significant improvements in mood. This has been especially relevant during the last year, as many of us have turned to nature for comfort. Indeed, the theme for this year’s ‘Mental Health Awareness Week' was nature and how we connect with it.

There is however, very little research around spending time outdoors as a volunteer. So we asked:

• if volunteering outdoors had any specific benefits, particularly for mental health and wellbeing
• how people got involved in the first place, and are there any barriers to volunteering outdoors?

What we did

We interviewed 13 people who regularly volunteer in nature or outdoor settings, covering topics such as how people felt about volunteering and being outside, what motivated people to volunteer outdoors, and if they felt there were any barriers to doing so. We also asked people to think about how volunteering outdoors might impact on their mental well-being.

What we learnt

There was a real sense that people got out what they put in. People who were willing to try new things reaped the benefits of being involved. Our participants tended to report good mental well-being, but reflected that they might not be as satisfied with their lives if they weren’t able to volunteer in this way. We discovered four key themes:

1. Increasing self esteem

Lots of older volunteers are retired, which can lead people to question their feelings of worth and their sense of purpose. Volunteering in outdoor settings provides people with a role, and the opportunity to use their skills for something important. Participants mentioned that their self-esteem was also increased through a sense of accomplishment.

2. Connecting with others

Volunteering not only provides the opportunity to meet other people, but also gives people a sense of belonging, either to a group or the wider community.

3. A sense of freedom

The natural environment provides people with an escape from stressful situations and the monotony of daily chores and responsibilities - people’s ability might change with age, but there will still be a range of ways to contribute in outdoor spaces

4. A sense of wonder and intrigue

The people we interviewed found nature to be mentally stimulating, as there was always something to learn about. They were in awe of the changes in the natural world they noticed around them, finding it fascinating and engaging.

Barriers

There are however some barriers to volunteering outdoors:

• getting involved in the first place could be difficult because lots of people were not aware of opportunities available, and joining a new group could feel intimidating
• lack of transport links to some locations could make it difficult for those who don’t drive
• worrying about having to commit to something without having tried it
• some may have different physical abilities, making some activities difficult

Anyone organising outdoor volunteering would need to factor these issues in, to make activities accessible and enjoyable for the whole community.

We know from previous research that having good self-esteem, feeling socially connected with others, reducing stress, and keeping your mind active is associated with good mental well-being and quality of life. As one participant explained, “It gives you something positive to be doing, and I think that that’s… from a selfish point of view, that is the value, and … keeping going keeps you going.”

We know this is especially important for older people, as it relates to reduced risks of dementia and other health conditions, and helps people to stay independent for as long as possible.

We're delighted to see Green Social Prescribing being offered in our local area, so more people can experience the benefits of spending time outdoors with nature - for more information, click here.

For more information on this study, email Jen Yates:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.