With the start of spring, on Saturday 28 March, part of the Spanish GreenME team – represented by researchers Carola Domènech Panicello (UOC), Paula de-Prado Bert(UAB) and Clàudia Torrens Florens (UAB), visited the Castelldefels library to participate in the 14th “Jornades de Vida Sana” (Healthy Living Days). They designed an interactive activity where participants could step into the shoes of a researcher to explore the concept of “Green Care” and the vital role of nature in our everyday lives.
The session began inside the library with an introduction to the GreenME project, focusing on how daily contact with green and blue spaces supports mental health. This initial talk sparked a lively debate among attendees, who shared insightful reflections on topics such as the gender gap in mental health and the specific challenges women face regarding well-being.
To move from theory to practice, the researchers provided each participant with a data collection template. This was an adapted version of the official analysis tool developed by the project to evaluate the quality of green and blue spaces. After explaining how to use the forms, the group headed outside to the Jardins del Castell, the green space adjacent to the library. Guided by the researchers, the participants walked along the paths of the castle gardens, observing the landscape with a critical eye. They audited the space by identifying elements like the variety of trees and flowers, the presence of benches and bins, and even the sensory details, such as the sound of birds or the overall cleanliness of the area.
The activity concluded with a group discussion right there in the gardens, after the group sat down on benches to fill out their audits with a nice view. We shared a meaningful conversation about the importance of having natural spaces so close to home, the key role of biodiversity, maintenance and promotion of mediterranean native species, the presence of shady areas with resting zones, as well as the accessibility of the natural environment and the importance of seeing birds, butterflies and the sea. The participants highlighted how these environments provide a sense of calm and relief from the pace of daily life, and we discussed which specific features – such as accessibility, biodiversity, and quiet spots – are essential for a space to benefit our mental health.
Ater the group discussion ended, the participants were all motivated to walked even a bit further and went on to wander around the castle gardens together. Hopefully, this workshop can be held in many other places and for all ages, and the team can do it again next year!