Rethinking Healthy Spaces: Evidence, Evaluation and Design

The group organised a one-day interdisciplinary workshop on the theme of ‘Rethinking Healthy Spaces’ for 26 participants, including 13 from GW4 institutions and 6 from organisations based in the GW4 region. Participants represented at least 10 disciplines, including natural and social science and humanities. Those participating in the networks suggested further contacts for inclusion in the network, including representatives of local networks offering positive synergies. Other activities organised by the team included a one-day public engagement stall at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, 2 sessions with community members at Grangetown Pavilion, Cardiff, social media activity including a Twitter account (100+ followers), webpage and news item. These outreach sessions achieved the objective of public engagement and consultation.

The workshop enabled the team to establish a new network of researchers and practitioners both within and without academia focused on healthy spaces. It also demonstrated support and demand for an expanded, continuing network for healthy spaces research.

The project team have benefited from leading groups involving policy-makers and practitioners. They have gained experience of collaborative grant writing, crowdsourcing and public engagement activities, of developing and promoting interactive web research, and of leading interdisciplinary and policy-oriented networks.

The research group will aim to secure further funding and will also produce a publication during the next phase of their project.