On 30th September and 1st October 2025, the RECETAS team in Cuenca, Ecuador, hosted the 3rd RECETAS Against Loneliness Meeting, marking both World Mental Health Day and the International Day of Older Persons.
This international gathering placed a spotlight on loneliness among older adults, at the invitation of researchers from the University of Cuenca with expertise spanning health, social sciences, architecture and cultural studies. Their work adapts the RECETAS methodology Friends in Nature and seeks to generate scientific evidence on how art, when combined with nature, can act as a powerful non-medical intervention for loneliness.
A global event in Cuenca
The two-day meeting welcomed 12 national and internation speakers, and more than 100 participants: academics, health professionals, community organisations, artists and citizens to exchange knowledge and experiences while exploring innovative solutions to unwanted loneliness. The programme focused on four key themes:
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Loneliness and mental health, understanding its impact in urban areas, particularly on older adults.
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Nature-based prescriptions, using green spaces and group activities as alternatives to purely medical treatment.
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Urban environments, exploring how the balance between built and natural spaces influences health.
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Culture, art and nature, integrating creative and cultural practices into wellbeing strategies.
In addition to discussions, the agenda featured practical activities such as workshops in nature and participatory art sessions, offering participants hands-on toolsto combat loneliness and foster social ties.
A venue with a story
The meeting was held at Cuenca’s Municipal Museum of Modern Art (MMAM), a venue with deep cultural and social resonance. Originally built in the 19th century as the Casa de Temperancia, the building once served as a centre for social reintegration. Over the decades it became a shelter for the homeless, a residence for older people, a children’s charity and later an orphanage.
The MMAM is now a museum and cultural centre. Its courtyards, gardens and heritage architecture provided the perfect backdrop for reflecting on art, health, nature and community.
Prescribing art and nature: an antidote to isolation
At the heart of the discussion was the University of Cuenca’s Art and Nature project, which integrates performing arts with outdoor experiences. By engaging in creative and cultural activities in natural settings, participants can reduce stress, strengthen social bonds, and find a meaningful antidote to isolation.
This initiative is part of a broader Nature-Based Social Prescription (NBSP) model, which complements traditional medical treatments while emphasizing community, creativity, and connection. The message is clear: cities can transform into environments that nurture care, wellbeing, and human connection for everyone.
View the photo gallery of the event:
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