How do you distil the complex findings of a three-year, national-scale research project into something that not only informs but also inspires action, shapes policy, and drives meaningful social change?
Challenge
This was the task for researchers at The University of Exeter and their collaborators at the Universities of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam at the conclusion of their landmark National Evaluation of the Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health Through Green Social Prescribing (GSP) project - a groundbreaking research initiative funded by a cross governmental partnership including Defra and DHSC.
The GSP project explored the impact and cost of nature-based activities - like community gardening, open-water swimming, and fishing - can have on physical and mental health. With over 8,000 participants across seven pilot sites in England, the project offered critical insights into health outcomes, but also insights into the opportunities and challenges of implementing GSP across different settings and with multiple partners in different sectors.
How could these findings be communicated effectively to two very different audiences - decision makers in policy and members of the general public who stand to benefit the most?
Solution
“We knew we needed something far more easy to engage with than a wordy report to help people understand what we did and the significance of our results,” explains Dr Harriet Hunt, Research Fellow and lead for infographic development at The University of Exeter.
To meet the challenge, we worked with the team to pull out the core messages and transform them into two visually striking infographics.
To ensure continuity with their earlier Handbook for Nature on Prescription project, we used a consistent colour scheme and style. Each infographic was designed to be flexible, with croppable sections for use in presentations and outreach materials, ensuring they could work hard in every setting.
“We’ve worked with Scriberia so many times because of your ability to deliver incredibly creative and impactful solutions that work within the constraints of our budget. But for me, the most valuable - and often overlooked - aspect of what Scriberia does is giving us the tools and confidence to recognise and refine the key messages we need to convey.”
“We’ve worked with Scriberia so many times because of your ability to deliver incredibly creative and impactful solutions that work within the constraints of our budget,” says Dr Hunt.
“But for me, the most valuable - and often overlooked - aspect of what Scriberia does is giving us the tools and confidence to recognise and refine the key messages we need to convey,” adds Dr. Hunt.
“The results for this project are two beautiful infographics that perfectly balance the professionalism required for government-funded outputs with the accessibility needed for everyday audiences. It was an elegant process to achieve the perfect look.”
Results
The finished infographics have become an essential tool for the GSP project. The team has shared them with partners, pilot sites and green providers, who have applied them to advocate for the programme - spurring conversations, igniting enthusiasm and inspiring action.
Used in presentations, workshops and briefings held by the research team, and attracting interest from across the globe, the infographics have strengthened GSP’s international reputation as a replicable model for improving mental health through nature-based activities. And they’ve been made publicly available to download to maximise their accessibility here.
“So many people have dropped in conversation how much they love the graphics and how much they’ve used them,” says Dr. Hunt.
“They are classic ‘hardworking pictures’ - capturing not just our findings but the depth of involvement and dedication across the project, all in an incredibly engaging and impactful way. Scriberia really did exceed our expectations across the board.”
