Loneliness among older adults is increasingly recognised as a significant public health challenge. As cities grow and populations age, finding practical, evidence-based ways to support wellbeing and connection is more important than ever.

A new randomised controlled trial published in Oxford Academic – Age and Ageing provides strong evidence that nature-based group activities can reduce loneliness, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall quality of life among older adults living in assisted living facilities.
Read the full open-access article: Effectiveness of nature-based group intervention in loneliness and health-related quality-of-life in lonely older adults living in assisted living facilities—a randomised controlled trial

What did the study find?

The study used a structured nature-based interventio, the Friends in Nature model, in which participants met regularly for facilitated activities in nearby green environments. Compared to a control group, people in the intervention group reported:

• Lower levels of loneliness

• Better sleep

• Higher perceived quality of life

These findings add valuable rigorous empirical support to the idea that combining nature exposure with social connection can deliver meaningful wellbeing benefits for later life.

How this aligns with RECETAS

The RECETAS project explores nature-based social prescribing as a tool for enhancing social connection and reducing loneliness across diverse urban contexts. This trial reinforces several core project insights:

• Nature matters when it is accessible, social, and community-oriented

• Group experiences unlock connections that contribute to longer-term wellbeing

• Rigorous evaluation, including randomised designs, strengthens the case for scaling effective interventions

L’article [PUBLICATION] New evidence: nature-based group activities reduce loneliness in later life est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

Our latest open-access article « Adapting and applying a group facilitator training model to support nature-based social interventions for alleviating loneliness in five countries » published in Educational Gerontology, explores exactly that: how the Finnish Circle of Friends (CoF) model – an evidence-based group intervention for alleviating loneliness – was transformed into the Friends in Nature (FiN) program within the RECETAS Project.

Why We Need New Approaches to Loneliness

As urban living increases and social bonds evolve, chronic loneliness has become a complex, multifaceted challenge. Traditional group programs and clinical treatments often fail to take full cultural or environmental contexts into account. What if part of the solution could be found not in a clinic but in a garden, a park, or a forest, under the guidance of trained leaders who understand both people and place?

The RECETAS team explored exactly that, adapting the CoF model to diverse international contexts to tackle loneliness in culturally meaningful ways.

Introducing the Friends in Nature Facilitator Model

The FiN program is based on the Circle of Friends approach but tailored for nature-based social interventions. At the heart of this adaptation is a multi-stage facilitator training model delivered across Spain, France, Czech Republic, Australia, and Ecuador.

The training process included:

• Moving from in-person to online training to increase accessibility and scale
• Training key facilitators who then trained local facilitators in each country
• Implementing FiN groups using structured, nature-based activities to foster social connection

Despite cultural differences, the core elements of the CoF model (group cohesion, supportive facilitation, and shared activity) remained strong and adaptable.

Why It Matters

Loneliness is a global challenge and often stigmatized. FiN uses nature, groupdynamics, and empowerment to help participants build meaningful social ties. By combining evidence-based facilitation techniques with culturally sensitive adaptations, the program creates safe spaces for connection, reflection, and mutual support.

This approach shows that nature-based interventions aren’t just about being outdoors: they’re about empowering people to engage socially in ways that are meaningful to them, regardless of cultural context.

What’s Next

While this publication focuses on the training model, outcome analyses are underway to examine how these adaptations influence effectiveness across diverse populations.

The research RECETAS research teams will provide practical on social prescribing, nature-based interventions, with scalable training models for international implementation.

By equipping facilitators with skills that are both evidence-informed and culturally adapted, the FiN programme represents a scalable pathway to reduce loneliness while fostering social inclusion and well-being worldwide.

L’article [PUBLICATION] RECETAS in Helsinki – Adapting a Group Facilitation Model to Support Nature-Based Interventions Across Five Countries est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

Local news coming soon

Stay tuned!

L’article Local news coming soon! est apparu en premier sur Recetas.

Local news coming soon

Stay tuned!

L’article Local news coming soon! est apparu en premier sur Recetas.