Abstract
Refugees and asylum seekers (RAS) in the UK face significant barriers to well-being due to hostile immigration policies and limited mental health support. Nature-based interventions (NBIs) are emerging as culturally inclusive psychosocial support, yet RAS experiences remain underexplored. An Ethnographic Action Research (EAR) informed approach was used to examine a nature-based programme in Southwest England, developed with four lived experience co-researchers. Data was collected through five observation days, sixteen conversations, and one focus group, involving three staff facilitators and 30 RAS participants. Thematic Framework Analysis identified four themes: To Access, To Connect and Belong, To Survive, and To Be Me with Power. Findings showed NBIs offered respite, connection, and empowerment, and identified the incorporation of co-production and facilitator reflective spaces. Findings suggest these interventions offer meaningful first-step support. This study calls for greater integration of NBIs into public health and social policy, and stronger collaboration with third sector organisations.
Awarding Institution(s)
University of Plymouth
Supervisor
Helen Lloyd
Keywords
Refugee, Asylum seeker, Ethnographic, Decolonisation, Nature-based interventions, Co-production
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Date
2025
Embargo Period
2026-08-24
Deposit Date
August 2025
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Morgan, L. (2025) ‘I am free, but I am not free’: Nature-Based Interventions with Refugee and Asylum Seekers – An Ethnographic Action Informed Study. Thesis. University of Plymouth. Retrieved from https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/psy-theses/175
