Exploring experiences and impacts of woodland wellbeing trails
The University of Derby and Forestry England are doing some research on our Wellbeing Trails. We are interested in finding out about people’s experiences of the trails and the impact they have on people’s wellbeing and how they feel about nature.
Anyone over the age of 18 can take part.
To take part, you will need to complete a short survey before you use the trail*, and then another survey at the end of the trail. The University of Derby will email you with a follow-up survey four weeks later. Each survey will only take a few minutes to complete.
Our research will look at how people feel before and after a walk on a Wellbeing Trail, and again in a few weeks time. We are also interested in finding out what people think about the trails.
*To complete the survey, there will be a sign at the start of the Wellbeing Trail. Simply point your phone at the QR code and scan to start.
FAQs
Who can take part?
Anybody who intends to complete the Wellbeing Trail and is over the age of eighteen can take part in the study.
Where can I take part?
The research study is taking place on the Wellbeing Trails at Hicks Lodge, Cannock Chase Forest, Salcey Forest and Fineshade Wood only.
Do I have to take part?
No, taking part is completely voluntary.
If you are planning to complete the Wellbeing Trail as part of a group activity or session, you don’t have to take part in the research to be involved in the group activity.
What does taking part involve?
We will invite you to complete a brief survey just before and immediately after completing the Wellbeing Trail. The first survey will take about 2-3 minutes. The second survey should take around 3-5 minutes.
The surveys will ask about how close you feel to nature and people with you, some brief wellbeing questions, and your experience of the Wellbeing Trail. All responses will be confidential and will not be linked to you.
We will invite you to also take part in a follow-up study and complete an additional survey (taking about 3 minutes) in four week’s time. If you are happy to take part in the follow-up study, we will ask you to share your email address so that we can contact you with a link to the survey. Your email address will be stored separately from your data so it will not be linked to your survey responses.
Prize Draw
People who complete the first two surveys (i.e. before and immediately after the trail) can enter a prize draw for one £50 gift voucher, and one of two £20 vouchers. If you also complete the follow-up survey you will get another entry into the draw. To enter the prize draw we will ask for your email address.
Are there any benefits of taking part?
There are no intended personal benefits to those who take part. However the findings from the research will contribute to understandings about how nature and woodlands affect people’s wellbeing, and help inform the work of Forestry England and future wellbeing initiatives.
Further information about the project and information on how we will use your data, can be obtained from Carly Butler c.butler2@derby.ac.uk, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB. To contact via phone, please call +441332593288.