Author Archives: Becca Lovell

Community gardening groups bring benefits for people living with dementia and their carers

Community gardening groups can bring multiple benefits for people living with dementia and their care partners, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Exeter and Natural England. People with dementia, their family members, and group leads, were interviewed about their experiences as part of the research, which looked at the impact […]

Literature X Ecology

The Literature X Ecology series presents conversations with leading contemporary poets whose work intersects with ecological thinking. The programme is part of a collaboration between RENEW and the Biodiversity and People Network and is funded by the B&PN as part of the network’s annual cross-disciplinary programme of events. The team have two upcoming events: On Thursday 11 April, 7PM BST […]

Job opportunity: Green social prescribing researcher

We have a fixed term part time (40%, 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025) researcher role (grade f, £41,732 up to £44,263 (pro rata)) working with Ruth Garside and team, on green social prescribing. Job reference P92069. The successful candidate will undertake crucial preparatory and feasibility work to design a future evaluation of a […]

Education opportunities with ECEHH: CPD and our Masters

We at ECEHH, University of Exeter Faculty of Health, lead two key education offers: Masters in Environment and Human Health, September 2024 Nature and Health CPD course, March 2024 MSc Environment and Human Health On this Masters in Environment and Human Health you will investigate the intricate relationships between contemporary global human health and the […]

BMJ editorial: Nature prescribing

Ruth Garside, Becca, and Kerryn Husk, with Georgie Sowman and Edward Chapman, co-authored a BMJ editorial for the Christmas edition of the journal. The editorial dicussed the evidence and investment that are needed to ensure green social prescribing supports health and aids nature recovery. We argue that in additon to being used to benefit the […]

Healing Power of Nature: Podcast from Alex Smalley

Alex has worked with BBC Studios Natural History Unit and Audible to create a new podcast focusing on the healing power of nature. You can read more about Alex’s work on his Virtual Nature project site. In today’s fast-paced world, most people are familiar with feeling stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. But a remarkable resource exists […]

New Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability

The University of Exeter has launched a new Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability that brings together experts from across the spectrum of earth and life sciences, engineering,humanities, social sciences and business working predominantly on the Penryn Campus. Each of the programmes are designed with a focus on developing solutions to global challenges and creating […]

Register for our 2024 Nature, Health and Well-being CPD Course

This CPD course focuses on how natural environments can benefit the physical and mental health of humans in a variety of different ways and how this topic has become increasingly important in policy.  About the course This course will explore how natural environments can benefit the physical and mental health of people in a variety […]

New paper: The ‘nature-based biopsychosocial resilience theory’

The first paper from the Resonate project has been published. The paper details a new ‘nature-based biopsychosocial resilience theory’ (NBRT), which describes the ways in which nature based solutions, including green social prescribing, can help individuals and communities cope better with climate change and other environmental, social or personal stressors by enhancing social-ecological resilience. White, […]

CPD course: Systematic Reviews of Mixed Method Evidence

Join this brand new in-person CPD course led by Ruth Garside! Ruth and her colleagues have extensive experience of producing evidence-based synthesis and providing training for a range of policy customers including NICE, NHSE, DHSC, WHO, and UN’s Green Climate Fund. In addition to understanding “what works”, policy makers and practitioners often need to understand […]