The Agile Project

Investigating how Nature-Based Programmes are used in schools and their wider communities

What?

Our aim is to figure out if Nature-Based Programmes in schools are really making a difference in supporting young people’s mental health.  

The project:

We’re looking at how Nature-Based Programmes are used in schools and their wider communities, and we’ll highlight any social and political issues that come with them. At the end of this one-year project, we’ll shape our findings into clear recommendations for policymakers to help schools roll out these programmes more effectively. 

Why?

Schools are facing a big challenge when it comes to mental health, especially for young people. Some schools have started to use Nature-Based Programmes to help with this. But how much do we really know about their impact? Are they actually helping? 

Who?

We are a team of researchers from Oxford’s Departments of Psychiatry, Geography, Primary Care, Education, the Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum (OBGA), and Gardens, Libraries & Museums (GLAM). We work collaboratively with UK Department for Education partners and NeurOX YPAG.

How?

• Developing a glossary of key terms
• Collecting data and analyzing research findings (including teacher interviews)
• Participating in workshops to inform policy recommendations
• Communicating key findings and recommendations to the DfE (including writing a policy brief)

Project Leads: Professor Ilina Singh and Dr. Katrin Wilhelm

For more about the Agile Project, please read: https://www.agile-initiative.ox.ac.uk/sprints/is-nature-a-policy-solution-to-mental-health-in-schools/