Creativity, Nature, and Wellbeing: THE INTERSECTION OF CREATIVE HEALTH AND PLANETARY HEALTH IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Abstract

This dissertation explores the links between creative health and planetary health, focusing on creative community-based projects addressing human wellbeing and planetary health. This research collaborates with the Culture Health and Wellbeing Alliance (CHWA) and will contribute to its mission to support creative community organisations and practitioners. The research aims to identify key project elements by examining their ethos, processes, and outcomes. The research adopts a qualitative approach, using reflexive thematic analysis and semi-structured interviews. Ten community-based projects were included in this research. Eleven themes and 23 sub-themes were identified and clustered under four overarching themes: ethos, process, outcome, and growth. These themes represent key elements in the projects and include creativity, nature connection, wellbeing, engaging body and mind, nature as a facilitator, cultivating care and navigating climate anxiety. The findings suggest that cultivating creativity in nature positively impacts individual wellbeing and develops care for the environment by promoting pro-environmental behaviours. The findings also highlight the need for collaboration and bridging the divide between community practitioners and the academic field. This research contributes to the broader academic discourse on creative health and planetary health, offering insights for facilitators, researchers, and funders interested in addressing human wellbeing and planetary health. The dissertation highlights the transformative potential of creativity and nature-based projects for fostering a healthier and more sustainable world.