Skip to main content
  • European Centre for Environment & Human Health

  • University of Exeter Medical School
  • Menu
  • Search
  • Home
  • About us Our mission and vision
    • Our Mission, Vision and Purpose
    • WHO Collaborating Centre on Natural Environments and Health
    • Peninsula Environment & Human Health Forum
    • Public Engagement
    • Our Mission, Vision and Purpose
    • WHO Collaborating Centre on Natural Environments and Health
    • Peninsula Environment & Human Health Forum
    • Public Engagement
  • Research Learn about our science
  • Impact Informing policy and practice
  • Education Explore our MSc and CPD courses
  • People Meet our staff and students
  • News & blog Updates from people and projects
  • Contact

GroundsWell: transforming our cities from the ground up

Tagged:
  • Nature, Biodiversity and Health

The GroundsWell project is exploring inequalities in how people access and use natural spaces in urban areas.

There is clear evidence showing that access and proximity to urban greenspaces and urban bluespaces (such as parks, gardens, woodlands, canals, riverbanks and coastal settings) has health benefits, in particular for non-communicable diseases, including mental health conditions, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases.

However, people’s ability to access and use urban greenspaces and urban bluespaces is unequal, leading to increased health and social inequalities. Decision-making processes around creating and maintaining such spaces can be one sided, leading to spaces which do not suit the wants and needs of communities.

This research is focussing on policy and practice from the national to the local scale. Working closely with key stakeholders – including community members and people working at a national, regional and local level within relevant decision-making organisations – the research will include mapping out the policy landscape and interviewing people involved in decision-making processes. The aim is to identify what works, for whom, under what circumstances, and why, to enable communities to play an active, informed and meaningful role in decision-making.

Visit the project website for further details.

The GroundsWell project is an interdisciplinary consortium led by Queen’s University Belfast, University of Edinburgh and University of Liverpool and as well as the University of Exeter, also includes the universities of Glasgow, Cranfield, Liverpool John Moore’s University, and Lancaster.

The project is funded by the UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) and runs from 2021 until 2026.

GroundsWell: transforming our cities from the ground up

Authors

  • Dr Emmylou Rahtz

    Dr Emmylou Rahtz

  • Dr Rebecca Lovell

    Dr Rebecca Lovell

  • Prof Ben Wheeler

    Prof Ben Wheeler

  • Dr Sarah Bell

    Dr Sarah Bell

  • Prof Cornelia Guell

    Prof Cornelia Guell

  • Dr Lewis Elliott

    Dr Lewis Elliott

  • Merryn Kent

    Merryn Kent

  • Prof Tim Taylor

    Prof Tim Taylor

  • Kate Morley

    Kate Morley

Related content

Research project

Barriers to entrepreneurship in Cornwall

Exploring the factors preventing low-income individuals in Cornwall from accessing funding and starting new ventures.

Research project

Nature on prescription for mental health

The ‘greENGAGE’ trial will evaluate six weeks in nature for people with anxiety and depression.

Research project

HouseInc – Inclusive housing for marginalised communities

Analysing the interlinked dimensions of housing inequalities, with a focus on marginalised communities in four European countries.

Contact details

European Centre for Environment and Human Health

University of Exeter Medical School

Peter Lanyon Building 12

Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 8RD

  • T: +44 (0) 1326 371859
  • E: ECEHHAdmin@exeter.ac.uk

Sign up to our mailing list

Fill in our form to receive updates on our latest projects, events and publications.

Subscribe

Follow us

  • @ecehh.bsky.social
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • @ecehh
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility

Copyright © 2025. European Centre for Environment & Human Health. All rights reserved.