Mind, body and blood: advancing green care through innovative methodologies within the field of health geography

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the post-COVID city, interest in creative green interventions to tackle health inequalities are at an all-time high. Key actors, from policymakers to funding bodies and beyond, are increasingly investing in concepts such as Social Prescribing and Green Care. In particular, the latter has received a large amount of attention and support, with mainstream media and an array of studies raising awareness around the benefits of juxtaposing nature with the city. In this paper, we reflect on the growth in this interest, particularly with a focus on the United Kingdom and the immense potential for the approaches within the wider urban global expansion. Through a focused systematic approach, we highlight the impact of several interventions on the ground, with an explicit case study focus on community gardening and care farming: highlighting both micro and macro practices within the built environment. Our paper raises awareness around the value of these interventions and novel methods for further exploration by academics and practitioners, particularly within a UK context, while presenting an opportunity learn from a pilot case study. In doing so, we advocate for more radical approaches to exploring these spaces and showcase the power of interdisciplinary work between geographers and health researchers in this burgeoning field.