A qualitative exploration of green space users and implications for health and well-being

The potential for the natural environment to improve population health and wellbeing has received increased academic and governmental attention in recent years. Much of the research to understand people’s use and engagement with the natural environment focuses on quantifying space use and footfall. This research, however, aims to explore the experiences and the meanings that people attach to using natural environments and how this may contribute to their health and wellbeing. Traditional research methods to obtain such information are often ‘static’ and not undertaken in the context of the natural environment. Therefore, this research seeks to also develop a novel method of ‘Spontaneous go-along interviews’ in which researchers approach members of the public in the natural environment to see if they would engage in a moving interview to gain a greater contextual understanding of their engagement and perceived influence on health and wellbeing.