Nature Walker; provides an immersive experience of Tintern Abbey via walking or forest bathing

Description

The aim of the Nature Walker project was to provide an innovative solution that encapsulates walks along multiple nature trails for people who are unable to access them due to physical or psychological impairments. This project spans over 16 months, commencing on September 5th, 2022, and concluding in December 2024. Funded by the Sports Ireland Innovation Fund through Dormant Accounts, the ‘Nature Walker’ project is a collaborative effort between Sports Active Wexford, Walton Institute, Wexford Mental Health Services, Coillte, and the Tintern Trails group. Each partner played a crucial role, from contributing to design requirements and selecting trails to developing the solution, coordinating focus group work-shops, and testing the application.

The project was structured into several phases or work packages, including Project Man-agement, Requirements Gathering, Design, User Journey and Wireframes, Development, Testing, and Research. The primary focus was on achieving a usercentric design, with significant input from the target user groups to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.

Wexford Mental Health Services was a vital partner, engaging in a series of workshops in Spring 2023 to gather feedback from the target user group. This feedback was instrumental in shap-ing the content, interface, and overall user experience of the Nature Walker app.

Key contributions from these workshops emphasized sound design, guided videos featuring flora, fauna, and environment information, and Forest Bathing ‘mindfulness’ videos. To cater to users with physical disabilities or profound impairments, an ‘on rails’ version was included, allowing them to enjoy a virtual walk in Tintern Trails, which could offer solace and cognitive recollection.

Follow-up testing workshops in Winter 2023-2024 ensured the app met the requirements of the target group. The Nature Walker app, available for Android and iOS devices, features recorded 360-degree footage of solo trails, guided experiences, and Forest Bathing videos, with unique sound designs enhancing the immersive experience. An innovative feature of the app is the correlation of user locomotion with video locomotion, allowing users to control the video progress with their movement, maintaining immersion without causing discomfort.

Aim of Initiative

The aim of the application is to provide therapeutic effects among those with mental health difficulties as well as bridging the gap between individuals experiencing Tintern Abbey on their phones or tablet to actually visit Tintern Abbey in person and explore the lovely forestry and scenery which it has to offer. As this project was piloted in Psychiatry for Later Life who provides specialist mental health services for older adults over the age of 65, the app aimed to provide an opportunity for those to experience Tintern Abbey from the comfort of their room and to also provide therapeutic effects within the forest bathing platform of the app.

This project also offers a ‘scaffolding’ opportunity based on Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development wherein user familiarity with the environment may reduce anxiety and increase appeal to visit.

Who is it aimed at

The mental health services including Psychiatry for Later Life who provide specialised mental health services to older adults over the age of 65 years.

3 Steps critical to success

1. The first critical step to success was finding key partners who shared a similar mindset focused on creating an innovative app that prioritized inclusion for older adults and individuals with mental health conditions. This collaboration was essential in the design of the ‘Nature Walker’ app. Key stakeholders, including volunteers from Tintern Trails, mental health services, and Coillte, provided invaluable input and demonstrated a strong commitment to the project, ensuring that the app would meet the diverse needs of its users effectively.
2. The second critical step involved delivering customer discovery workshops, with a strong emphasis on the target group: individuals with psychological impairments that prevented them from visiting Tintern Trails in person. Conducted in partnership with Wexford Mental Health Services from Winter 2022 to Spring 2023, these workshops took place across all adult day services and in Psychiatry of Later Life in Wexford. Participants provided invaluable feedback, highlighting the importance of sound alongside visuals and suggesting the inclusion of a guided video experience for mindfulness or meditation. They also recommended featuring a ‘Guide’ in the video feed to simulate walking alongside a companion. For the user experience, participants favoured controls similar to YouTube, a minimal on-screen interface with just an ‘X’ to exit, an autoload feature for the next walk, and a screen free of pop-ups.
3. The third critical step was evaluating and organizing feedback workshops to ensure the app met the needs and preferences of mental health service users. Another series of workshops was held within the mental health services, involving relevant stakeholders. During these testing workshops, quantitative data was collected from focus groups, revealing that 69% of participants felt the app encouraged them to exercise more. Additionally, 55% indicated they would use the app frequently, and 82% reported that it motivated them to visit Tintern Trails.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. The initial challenge for the Nature Walker app was ensuring universal accessibility. Recognizing that not everyone could rely on consistent phone data plans, particularly older adults and those in mental health services, the app was designed to function offline after an initial download. This approach overcomes the need for continuous data use and minimizes storage consumption, ensuring it runs smoothly. By allowing users to download content while connected to Wi-Fi and optimizing cache clearing, the app remains accessible and user-friendly for all demographics, regardless of data limitations or device storage constraints.
2. The next challenge for the Nature Walker app is the substantial costs associated with its development, exceeding €100k. Despite this financial hurdle, the project remains committed to pursuing additional funding avenues, recognizing the app’s critical role in enriching the outdoor experiences of older adults, even when physical accessibility may be limited. Crucially, the app is provided completely free of charge to users, ensuring that its benefits are accessible to all who can benefit from connecting with nature through technology. This commitment underscores the app’s dedication to promoting well-being and accessibility without financial barriers.
3. Fortunately, no further challenges have been reported thus far. The team behind the Nature Walker app eagerly anticipates Phase 2 of the project, set to begin in July 2024. This phase envisions expanding to three additional sites in Co. Wexford, broadening the app’s reach and impact. Additionally, a standalone VR headset experience is planned, offering users another immersive way to engage with nature. These advancements mark an exciting new chapter for the project, aiming to further enhance outdoor experiences and create a deeper connection with nature through innovative technology.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Nature Walker offers a unique way for users to discover Tintern Abbey from the comfort of their phone or tablet through immersive 360-degree views. This innovative feature allows users to explore the historic site as if they were physically there, providing a rich and engaging experience. With the app, users can navigate through Tintern Abbey’s stunning grounds and scenic surroundings, gaining a deeper appreciation for its beauty. The 360-degree view not only makes Tintern Abbey accessible to those who may have difficulty visiting in person but also enhances the overall user experience, making each virtual visit captivating and enjoyable.
2. The Nature Walker app provides users with a unique opportunity to engage in meditation and forest bathing from anywhere. Key features include the soothing sounds of birds and water, creating a serene and immersive environment. Additionally, the app offers a virtual ‘Kneipping’ experience, inspired by the hydrotherapy system developed by Sebastian Kneipp and popular in German parks. If the user decides to visit Tintern Trails in person, they are shown to mimic the Kneipping process by taking off their shoes and walking ‘stork-like’ through the water, lifting each foot high out of the stream. Following this, they can enjoy a gentle foot massage by walking along a sensory path with eight different textures underfoot. This combination of auditory and sensory elements helps users relax and connect with nature, making the Nature Walker app a perfect tool for mindfulness and well-being.
3. The Nature Walker app encourages physical activity by providing users with an immersive experience that aligns their real-world movements with a 360-degree video of Tintern Trails. By accessing the accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer sensors in modern smartphones or tablets, the app enables users to manipulate their perspective by moving their device around, offering three degrees of freedom and viewing footage from all angles. This synchronization allows users to experience locomotion in the virtual world as they walk in reality, creating a seamless and engaging exercise routine. The video pauses when the user stops moving and resumes when they start again, promoting continuous physical activity.