We are proud to share that new academic research has been published in the Journal of Ecopsychology exploring the impact of Dose of Nature’s Young People’s Programme on mental health and wellbeing.

The study, led by Costanza Barbieri from Goldsmiths, University of London, with co-authors Dr Lucy Oldfield, Dr Hilary Norman and Dr Georgina Gould from Dose of Nature, examined how young people experience nature-based mental health support and what makes these interventions effective. 

What the research explored

The qualitative study involved one-to-one interviews with young people aged 15–25 who had taken part in the Dose of Nature programme. The aim was to understand not just whether nature-based interventions help, but why they support mental wellbeing. 

Key findings: Three powerful connections

The research identified three interconnected themes that underpin the programme’s positive impact:

1. Connecting with oneself
Participants described feeling calmer, more motivated and more aware of their needs. Time in nature supported self-expression, emotional regulation and personal growth.

2. Connecting with others
Meaningful relationships with Guides and a sense of belonging within the Dose of Nature community were central to participants’ experiences. These relationships made the support feel human, authentic and accessible. 

3. Connecting with the environment
Young people developed a deeper emotional bond with nature, noticing beauty, change and interconnection. This connection fostered resilience, gratitude and a sense of belonging in the world.

Notably, the most influential elements were self-expression and emotional connection to nature, highlighting that the quality of interaction with nature matters as much as time spent outdoors.

Why this matters

The findings offer important evidence that nature-based interventions can support mental wellbeing by nurturing relationships—with self, others and the natural world. The study also highlights the clinical value of fostering emotional connections to nature, rather than focusing solely on outdoor activities or environmental knowledge. 

At a time when young people face rising mental health challenges and environmental uncertainty, this research reinforces the importance of accessible, relational and nature-based approaches to mental health support. 

Our commitment

We are delighted that this research contributes to growing evidence for nature-based mental health interventions and helps deepen understanding of how Dose of Nature’s approach supports young people.

We would like to thank the researchers, participants and the wider Dose of Nature community for making this work possible.

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