The Human Nature Project
The Human Nature Project was designed to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues, increase resilience, and to help people make tangible improvements to their lives.
Rather than focusing on illness, the Human Nature Project presented mental health as an asset to actively invest in.
Our public pilot ran between April and September 2021 and we have since received a National Lottery grant to fund a 3-year project in Bristol which begun in 2022 and completed in the Autumn of 2024.
The Human Nature Project was being offered to GP surgeries throughout Bristol, to MIND and other mental health and community associations.
The Happiness Project
THE HAPPINESS PROJECT was an arts-based intervention, promote good mental health in the wider Bristol community.
AIMS + OBJECTIVES:
Using evaluation outcomes to develop an ongoing project.
Creating and employ a robust evaluation framework.
Supporting people with mental health problems.
Providing an early intervention facility.
Promoting good mental health.
Each of the ten 2-hour group workshops involved presentation of scientific research findings in to the habits and behaviours that increase protective factors for mental health. Presentation was followed by group discussion and a related creative activity. Participants were encouraged to follow up attendance by taking ‘Next Steps’ i.e. implementing their learning in their daily lives.
In addition to group workshops, the Happiness Project provided a signposting service that helped participants identify free and low cost cultural opportunities in Bristol that they could engage with for further investment in wellbeing. The project was delivered with support of 60 volunteers, 100% of whose initial contact with the project was as participants.
