Communities actively seek nature for well-being despite constraints: (Re)representation of nature experiences through composite narratives

Abstract

While the physical and mental health benefits of greenspace exposure are well documented, ethnic minority communities in the United Kingdom continue to engage with these environments at disproportionately lower rates. This persistent disparity points to an oversight in existing literature, specifically regarding how these communities navigate everyday encounters with nature. This qualitative study employs interviews and diary methods to explore the restorative processes, motivations and preferences of ethnic minority residents in Bristol, United Kingdom. By communicating these experiences through the novel approach of composite narratives, the research endeavours to situate lived realities within intersectional contexts, ensuring the findings remain nuanced and resistant to essentialist assumptions. Our findings reveal that engagement with nature is a purposeful element of daily life, with psychological restoration serving as a conscious and instrumental strategy for well-being. Distinct preferences revealed a range of landscape typologies, including blue spaces, urban woodlands and family-oriented parks, while a range of constraints to engagement and visitation were also present. Using composite narratives further illuminates the role of social relationships in shaping greenspace experiences, highlighting a tension between positive experiences and overlapping constraints. While participants negotiate challenges that are both universal and culturally specific, these obstacles do not simply override restorative encounters; instead, they form a constellation that evolves across multiple scales. This study demonstrates that, despite these constraints, urban greenspaces remain vital resources for these communities. The findings underscore the necessity of enhancing everyday access for those who need it most, living in densely populated or low-income urban areas. By developing safe, welcoming environments and including communities in environmental planning, we can instil more equitable approaches to provision that enhance well-being for all urban residents. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Show more