{"id":9356,"date":"2025-12-12T12:11:39","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T12:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/?p=9356"},"modified":"2026-02-09T17:02:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T17:02:17","slug":"active-lives-natural-spaces-rethinking-how-we-support-young-peoples-wellbeing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/humanities-blog\/2025\/12\/12\/active-lives-natural-spaces-rethinking-how-we-support-young-peoples-wellbeing\/","title":{"rendered":"Active Lives, Natural Spaces: Rethinking How We Support Young People\u2019s Wellbeing"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.17.6″ menu_id=”8″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” module_class=”main-navigation” background_layout=”dark” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.0.106″ title=”on” meta=”on” author=”on” date=”on” categories=”on” comments=”on” featured_image=”on” featured_placement=”above” text_color=”dark” text_background=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

As part of the ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council<\/a> Festival of Social Science 2025, colleagues Alexandra Hennessey<\/a> and Sarah MacQuarrie<\/a> (Dept of Education, SEED) hosted an interactive event exploring how play, movement, and access to green spaces can boost children\u2019s mental health and wellbeing. Here is their reflection…<\/p>\n

Our starting point was a simple, yet stubborn, question:<\/p>\n

\n

What would it look like if every child had equitable access to the natural world as part of everyday life?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This question matters now more than ever. Schools and communities are facing rising mental health needs, shrinking play spaces, sedentary routines and growing inequalities. Yet the research is clear: even small, meaningful connections with nature and physical activity can transform the wellbeing of young people.<\/p>\n

Turning ideas into action<\/h3>\n

We wanted a space where research meets real-world solutions, specifically those that link classrooms, local parks, community gardens and staff rooms. Teachers, youth workers, and policymakers told us how hard it is to prioritise green space\u2014but also how determined they are to make it happen. The festival gave us the platform to turn shared concerns into practical strategies, drawing on projects around outdoor learning, whole-school wellbeing, and physical activity equity.<\/p>\n

Designing an event for the people who need it most<\/h3>\n

To fit busy schedules of local educators, policy makers and practitioners, we ran an in-person free-flow twilight exhibition (4\u20137pm). Attendees could drop in for 20 minutes, or 3 hours, and take their time to explore displays, watch videos, and pick up resources. The room buzzed with conversation\u2014ideas sparking between case studies and unexpected connections.<\/p>\n

Contributors to the exhibition ranged from environmental educators and policy groups to teacher trainers and psychologists. Their insights made the exhibition rich, practical, and inspiring. And together, the exhibition built a picture of how nature equity, wellbeing and physical activity can be woven into everyday spaces.<\/p>\n

Acknowledging that not everyone could attend, we also launched an open-access virtual exhibit packed with tools and inspiration. Sharing the essence of the exhibition this online resource hub, offers tools and inspiration for anyone interested in how movement and nature can nurture wellbeing. Explore it here: https:\/\/lnkd.in\/etF-4EuR<\/a><\/p>\n

Contributor feedback<\/h3>\n

Our exhibitors told us how energising it felt to be part of this event\u2014a space that celebrated creativity and collaboration. They loved turning research into practical ideas and sharing insights that connect with real-world challenges. Conversations flowed across sectors, from educators and youth practitioners to policy professionals, sparking dialogue and fresh thinking. Many said it was rewarding to see their work contribute to a collective effort for young people\u2019s wellbeing and equity.<\/p>\n

Contributors also embraced the inclusive ethos of our virtual exhibition. By sharing resources online, they extended the impact far beyond the room, making learning accessible to all. This reflects a shared belief: meaningful change happens when knowledge is open, collaborative, and available to everyone.<\/p>\n

Why this matters now<\/h3>\n

Policy is shifting fast\u2014from the National Play Commission to the School Sport and Enrichment Framework. Educators and decision-makers need solutions that are evidence-based, low-cost, and proven to work. We believe that this event\u2014and its online hub\u2014offers exactly that.<\/p>\n

Final thought<\/h3>\n

The Active Lives, Natural Spaces event showed what is possible when practitioners, researchers, and policymakers come together: barriers fall, collaborations grow, and people leave feeling equipped to make change.<\/p>\n

Active Lives, Natural Spaces was part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025 and was made possible thanks to funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC<\/a>), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).\u00a0<\/i>The UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is part of UK Research and\u00a0Innovation (UKRI), a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK\u00a0government. It funds world-leading research, data and post-graduate training in the\u00a0economic, behavioural, social and data sciences to understand people and the world around\u00a0us.<\/i><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

Related<\/h1>\n

Related posts:<\/h3>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>

Alumni Stories: Meet one of our Social Anthropology graduates<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
<\/div>

The value and importance of Sustainability Education<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a>
<\/div>

When Power Replaces Law: Venezuela, the United States, and the Fragility of the International Legal ...<\/h2><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar _builder_version=”3.0.106″ area=”sidebar-1″ orientation=”left” show_border=”off” background_layout=”light” locked=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Connect Title” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” _builder_version=”3.0.90″ background_color=”#1d1d1d” module_class=”footer-section” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” global_module=”380″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” global_parent=”380″ locked=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” make_equal=”off” module_id=”footer-row” _builder_version=”3.0.89″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Contact Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contact Us” global_parent=”380″ text_text_color=”#aaaaaa” parent_locked=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_class=”contact-us” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

+44 (0) 161 306 6000<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Find Us Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Find Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Address” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” module_id=”address” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

The University of Manchester
Oxford Rd
Manchester
M13 9PL
UK<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Connect Title” global_parent=”380″ background_layout=”dark” text_text_color=”#ffffff” parent_locked=”off” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_size=”initial”]<\/p>\n

Connect With Us<\/h4>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Social Media” global_parent=”380″ parent_locked=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n