Background Our Dementia Service, nestled within a hospice, provides a diverse range of engaging activities for individuals living with dementia. Historically, these activities have mainly occurred indoors, with little exposure to the serene countryside and hospice grounds. Recognizing the vital importance of spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature and breathing in fresh air, we launched a new initiative to integrate outdoor experiences into our program.

Aims Drawing from Mind’s 2021 report on ‘Nature and mental health’, which highlights the benefits of spending time in green spaces, we aimed to enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of our participants. We sought to promote increased activity, relaxation, stress reduction, and combat loneliness through peer support. As a hospice, we acknowledge the profound impact of nature in initiating conversations and fostering connections for those with dementia. Thus, our goal was to introduce outdoor activities that deeply resonate with the individuals we support. To achieve this, we initiated our Woodland Wellness sessions, scheduled monthly.

Method In collaboration with Dignity in Dementia, we developed our Woodland Wellness sessions with their guidance and support. Drawing inspiration from a nature activity session conducted by Dignity in Dementia, we tailored our own sessions. So far, our sessions have featured bird spotting and watching, wreath making, gathering local flowers and sticks to create bloom sticks, and crafting suncatchers.

Results We’re currently in the initial phases of collecting narrative feedback from attendees and are dedicated to assessing changes in behavior, mood, cognitive function, and social interaction before and after exposure to nature-based interventions. By measuring these outcomes, we can better understand the therapeutic value of nature in dementia care and tailor interventions to maximize its benefits.