Nature And Landscape

Working towards creating dementia-friendly parks, outside spaces and nature reserves: development of a guide and environmental self-assessment tool

This project will, with the support of our collaborators, co-produce resources including a guide, environmental self-assessment tool, App, training videos, and case studies to enable parks, outside spaces and nature reserves (outside spaces hereafter) to become more dementia-friendly and improve access to natural heritage. No such resources currently exist but would be welcomed by the Green Space Sector. There are significant physical and social benefits of engagement with the natural environment but the 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK [1] (see Image1) often face personal and practical barriers to accessing outside spaces and participating in outdoor activities. Improvements to the physical environment, coupled with upskilling staff, improve access and support for those affected by dementia but knowing where to start can be difficult. The freely available resources developed by our project will enable outside spaces to be assessed, improvements made, and outcomes evaluated now and for the future.