Fit for the Future Evaluation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychological and health outcomes following participation in structured outdoor construction and activity
IRAS ID
302027
Contact name
Jason Davies
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
The proposed study will utilise quantitative and qualitative research methods to examine the impacts of the Down to Earth/Fit for the Future scheme on participants from different groups (i.e. patients, staff, local community) at a hospital site in Cardiff (University Hospital Llandough site). The Down to Earth Fit for the Future project will aim to deliver outdoor healthcare through creating sustainable outside spaces and/or buildings. The project will support those who will access and use these areas to actively participate in the site development and transformation. At the grounds of University Hospital Llandough, the scheme involves designing and developing an outdoor health care and rehabilitation facility in collaboration with patients, hospital staff and the local community. Previous research by the team has shown that engaging vulnerable and hard to reach groups in sustainable construction methods can have important impacts on wellbeing and mental health.
The key purposes of the study are to a) investigate the effects of engaging in the Fit for the Future/Down to Earth projects on participants using mixed methodology; b) construct a model of change to describe the ways in which participation might lead to specific outcomes.
Data will be collected in the form of questionnaires and interviews; in addition, biological data (salivary cortisol) will be collected from ~30 NHS staff who give specific consent for this additional aspect. All participants will access the scheme at some point between 2022-2023 individually and in groups.REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0069
Date of REC Opinion
24 Mar 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion