Benefits for Older People Engaged in Environmental Volunteering and Socializing Activities in City Parks: Preliminary Results of a Program in Italy

Abstract

The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of an environmental volunteering program involving park restoration and social activities for older people. Older people face a series of challenges, ranging from social isolation and depression to a lack of exercise, as well as the difficult task of creating new meaning to deal with a decrease in vitality and new social relationships, interests, and commitments. From this perspective, this pilot study aimed to contribute to highlighting if or how these aspects can be positively correlated with organized activities associated with caring for public green spaces. A single-group, pre-test/post-test design was used, and baseline and post-participation measurements were recorded. The data were collected using a questionnaire aimed at evaluating variations in physical activity, positive and negative emotions, life satisfaction, and perceived social support. Through focus group interviews with participants at the baseline and after one year of participating in the program, the participants’ motivations and experienced effects were explored. The sample was composed of a group of 19 healthy people who joined the program. The quantitative results showed that the participants’ level of physical activity, subjective life satisfaction, and positive feelings were significantly increased at the follow-up. Positive correlations were found between increasing moderate physical activities, walking, and The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) positive feelings. A pro-environmental attitude of the elderly emerged from the qualitative data. The results, limitations, and improvements of the study are discussed.

Increased Wellbeing following Engagement in a Group Nature-Based Programme: The Green Gym Programme Delivered by the Conservation Volunteers

“…Green Gym is delivered by TCV, which is part of the VCSE sector and is an example of a voluntary community nature-based programme. The findings from the current study add to the evidence demonstrating the health-related benefits of nature-based volunteering programmes [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 58 , 59 ]. Nature-based activities are being used in health and social care [ 50 , 60 ] and feature in the UK Government’s green social prescribing initiative (NHS England) to help tackle the increasing mental health problems and poor wellbeing associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…These activities are typically aimed at making improvements or conserving local spaces, such as creating and restoring natural habitats, the maintenance of amenities in outdoor spaces, such as parks, footpaths, trails and building physical features in the natural environment. Qualitative studies with individuals volunteering in nature-based activities report a wide range of health-related benefits, such as increased fitness, general health, quality of life and wellbeing [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]; however, reports are mostly based on individuals from white backgrounds, higher socio-economic groups and/or those who report better health and wellbeing. Evidence from quantitative studies, in which the health-related changes from engagement in the nature-based programme are examined, show mixed results.…”

An Agile Digital Platform to Support Population Health—A Case Study of a Digital Platform to Support Patients with Delirium Using IoT, NLP, and AI

“…Even with medical advances and economic prosperity increasing longevity and well-being, and moving more people into the broad category of the older population, ageism continues to stigmatize this population in the labor market [ 18 ] and marginalize their role in productive social engagement [ 19 ]. Active aging strategies include promoting physical activity through volunteering and socializing [ 20 ]. These strategies can allow cities to use multiple agencies to make public places health friendly [ 21 , 22 ] and engage the older population in community-based voluntary activities [ 23 ].…”

Values Orientation Towards Intention to Sustain in Environmental Volunteering: Views from University Students

“…Students' backgrounds, such as age, the field of study, and gender, influence environmental volunteering behaviour s. Studies show the younger generation is more motivated for education and a career (Madsen et al, 2021), while older generations are motivated by health benefits (Gagliardi et al, 2020;Chen et al, 2020;Hsiao et al, 2020). Meanwhile, students of pure science courses, such as Biology, are more involved in environmental volunteering than students in social sciences who are usually involved in social volunteering (Heyl et al, 2013).…”