Active participation and positive social spaces
There was a strong association between feelings of well-being and exposure to and participation in
public space. Periods of time spent indoors were low points in participants’ mental well-being, but
as recovery progressed, more comfort was felt in public spaces, especially in small, familiar groups.
Participant 4 enjoyed walking with a group from the Buddhist centre, as with others he could ‘get
motivated a lot more easily’. Participant 1 recounted a rare positive experience in the city centre at a
roadshow at Barkers Pool. Being in a small, safe group made the public realm more accessible for her.