Project Description:
We will explore Leith’s past, present and future through a series of workshops led by a community youth worker and supported by a local artist. Workshops will include a mix of outdoor and indoor sessions. In the outdoor workshops, participants will use Our Outdoors to capture images and answer questions about the space and their feelings towards it. During the indoor workshops, we will further explore the images they captured by working with a local artist to coproduce artworks from the data and ideas gathered. At the end of the programme, we will have an exhibition in a community space in Leith to display the collages of photographs and artworks produced.
Key decision makers such as those from the council will be invited so young people can showcase their work and ideas on how to develop local green spaces to maximise well-being benefits.
Project Type: Sustaining Grant
Theme: Justice and Equity, Health
Mentor:Carolina Dopico González
Dear Green Place: Promoting Wellbeing in Young People with Our Outdoors
Dear Green Place is a collaborative initiative co-led by academic researchers from the GroundsWell consortium and the Citadel Youth Centre. This project explores parks in and around Leith, Edinburgh, focusing on how local green spaces can enhance mental health and wellbeing for young people aged 13-18.
Addressing a Growing Concern
In recent decades, adverse mental health conditions among young people have significantly increased in the UK. Research indicates that access to green spaces can improve mental well-being, but little is known about which specific types and features of these spaces are most beneficial. To address this gap, the project uses Our Outdoors, a citizen science app designed to collect data on green space characteristics and their impact on individuals’ emotional states. By analyzing this data, the project aims to identify which green space features are most beneficial for various population groups.
Engaging Youth Through Exploration and Expression
Weekly sessions at the Citadel Youth Centre combine outdoor exploration, data collection, and artistic expression. Young participants use the Our Outdoors app to document their experiences and feelings in local green spaces. These reflections are captured not only through data but also through photography and other creative media. Guided by professional artists and scientists, participants transform their observations into collaborative artworks and a digital map.
This creative process encourages deeper engagement with their environment, going beyond traditional consultation methods. It provides young people with a platform to express their ideas and influence the future design of Leith’s parks.
Amplifying Youth Voices
Central to the project is the belief that young people’s voices matter. By the end of the workshops, participants will present their creative work at a community outreach event in Leith. Local decision-makers, including council representatives, will attend, offering a direct opportunity for young people to contribute to ongoing park redevelopment discussions.
Support from IMPETUS
The IMPETUS Accelerator Programme has been instrumental in broadening the range of citizen scientists involved with Our Outdoors. By empowering young people to contribute data and insights, the project ensures that future park developments reflect their needs. This involvement benefits not only the current generation but also those to come, as Leith’s parks are transformed over the next two years.
Building a Brighter Future
Dear Green Place highlights the immense value of youth voices in creating green spaces that are both beautiful and supportive of wellbeing. By working collaboratively, the project ensures that Leith’s parks serve the needs of all community members. Together, we are fostering a brighter, greener future for Leith’s residents.
[Images from the project showcase local green spaces, both positive and negative, as documented through the Our Outdoors app and analyzed with participant input. (Permission for photo use obtained.)]
