Issuu

Blue Mind Hub Impact Report

Who are the Ocean Conservation Trust? The Ocean is massive! An astounding 1.37 billion cubic kilometres of seawater covers 71% of the globe. Keeping this vast space healthy is essential for the survival of virtually every living thing on our planet.

The Ocean Conservation Trust is a global charity that exists to protect and restore the Ocean. Our vision is a world where the Ocean is thriving, healthy, and sustainably protected for generations to come.

We invest time, skills and passion into projects that increase biodiversity, combat climate change and harnesses the collective power of people. We encourage pro-Ocean behaviour, inspiring positive change amongst individuals, communities, businesses, and policymakers alike.

CONTENTS 4.

Executive Summary

Introduction

Why develop the Blue Mind Hub?

10.

What is the Blue Mind Hub?

11.

Programme Overview

12.

Measuring Impact

Recommendation

15.

Overall Impact

16.

2025 Impact

17.

Accessible Ocean Pilot Scheme 2025

18.

RNRC Hasler Programme 2025

19.

Youth Accessible Ocean Programme 2025

20.

Ocean Memories Programme 2025

21.

Case Study - Dan

23.

Discussion

24.

Blue Mind Further Afield

25.

Links to our Conservation Strategy

26.

References

Executive Summary Historically, blue spaces have been underrepresented in nature-based health solutions. This report outlines the impact, initiatives, and advocacy efforts that support the use of blue spaces and Ocean-based activities to improve human wellbeing. It highlights the Ocean Conservation Trust’s (OCT) Blue Mind Hub, which offers structured opportunities for coastal engagement, combining guided experiences, water-based activities, and education. This initiative showcases the tangible social, economic, and environmental returns from investing in Ocean-based wellbeing programmes, demonstrating that the health of people and the Ocean are inseparable assets.

UK Mental Health Crisis and Blue Prescribing The UK faces rising mental health issues, with 1 in 4 adults affected in 2024 and increasing referral rates. Mental health support waiting times are 8 times longer than physical health treatments. Costs of poor mental health reached £300 billion in 2024, up from £117.9 billion in 2019. We propose that Blue prescribing could be a cost-effective intervention to reduce NHS burden and improve mental health.

Blue Mind Hub Impact Blue Mind Hub (BMH) is an Ocean-based wellbeing project, funded and delivered by the OCT, in Plymouth using social prescribing to support those with poor mental health. 79% of participants report significant mental health improvements since 2023. BMH supports diverse groups, including those with additional needs like dementia, youth, and armed forces personnel. BMH emphasises experiential learning and emotional connection to foster pro-Ocean behaviour. It highlights the link between Ocean health and societal wellbeing, advocating for blue space-based social prescribing.

Conclusion and recommendations The OCT’s Blue Mind Hub demonstrates the significant benefits of Ocean-based experiences for mental wellbeing, community engagement, and fostering pro-Ocean behaviour, with ongoing efforts to expand accessible and tailored programmes for diverse communities. We call for government recognition of blue prescribing, dedicated funding, and crosssector strategies integrating Ocean health into public health and environmental policies. We encourage link workers, healthcare professionals, and community advocates to promote blue interventions, support blue prescribing, and raise awareness.

The Role of Blue Spaces in Wellbeing Nature, especially blue spaces, plays a vital role in physical and mental health, often overlooked in green prescribing. Blue spaces provide restorative sensory effects such as calmness, serenity, curiosity, and excitement. Nature-based interventions are cost-effective, with data available for green spaces showing a £9 return for every £1 invested and likely to be of similar level for blue spaces.

Introduction The Ocean is not just a source of food and oxygen it is a critical driver of human wellbeing and cultural and spiritual value. Investing in healthy Oceans and access to marine environments is an investment in public health, community resilience, and sustainable futures. Since 2017, the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT) has pioneered programmes and research to explore how meaningful engagement with marine and coastal environments can enhance mental health, physical wellbeing, and social connection. Strengthening this relationship creates benefits for communities, ecosystems, and broader society. Blue spaces including seas, rivers, lakes, and coastal environments are increasingly recognised for their restorative potential. Evidence suggests that regular interaction with such environments can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall wellbeing. Recent studies highlight the positive role that access to blue spaces can play in supporting mental health outcomes (White et al., 2020). The Ocean, in particular, has long been associated with restorative experiences, evoking feelings of relaxation, calm, and enjoyment for those who spend time near or within it (Job et al., 2022).

Beyond individual wellbeing, healthier communities place less demand on the National Health Service (NHS) and contribute more productively to society. This report highlights the Ocean Conservation Trust’s (OCT) work on initiatives, and advocacy efforts that support the use of blue spaces and Ocean-based activities to improve human wellbeing. It gives an overview of why we have worked in this space as well as the results that we have achieved from our Blue Mind Hub. By showcasing the Hub’s impact, we aim to strengthen policy support for blue prescribing as well as providing further motivation to protect and maintain healthy Oceans.

Why develop the Blue Mind Hub? The Blue Mind Hub has two overarching aims: 1. To foster individual wellbeing for participants. 2.Encourage a deeper appreciation of the value of blue spaces for human health and wellbeing both for participants and wider society. Following its groundbreaking ‘blue spaces’ research in 2017 and alongside other key blue health research, the OCT wanted to develop practical initiatives that developed best practices for ‘blue prescribing’ for local communities. Key research findings that helped develop the Hub were: All sensory aspects of the Ocean have been considered to induce calming effects, for example, the sound of waves can reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol (Gould van Praag et al., 2017; Thoma, Mewes and Nater, 2018). Looking at images with blue spaces showed greater preference, positive effects and a higher perceived restorative effect when compared to those without (White et al, 2010). The colour blue is associated with emotional calmness, as well as traits such as trust and openness. It has been suggested that these feelings towards the colour blue lead to the preferences for images of blue spaces, such as the coastline (Cracknell, 2019).

Living near the coast has been associated with better physical and mental health, facilitated primarily by walking near the coast (Pasanen et al., 2019), showcasing the importance of being near to the Ocean as well as in or on it. These benefits have been established in economics research, showing that properties with a sea view come at a higher cost than those without (Nichols, 2014; Cracknell, 2019).

The OCT felt that central to the project would be the creation of a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where participants feel supported and are able to benefit fully from their experiences in coastal settings. We want to encourage greater exposure and connection to these environments, helping individuals build confidence in accessing and using blue spaces, promoting them as places that can support positive mental and physical wellbeing. By demonstrating the success of the Blue Mind Hub, we aim to strengthen policy support for blue prescribing as well as providing further motivation to protect and maintain healthy oceans. The Hub clearly highlights the connection between human wellbeing and vibrant marine environments, hopefully unlocking further funding from government and other investors.

Blue Mind Hub: Context The Blue Mind Hub (BMH) was created to explore how engagement with coastal and marine environments can support human wellbeing. It provides structured opportunities for people to experience blue spaces safely, combining research, education, and practical activities to better understand their social, mental, and environmental benefits.

So it is fair to say that the Ocean is fundamental to human life. The OCT is committed to recognising this full spectrum of Ocean “values” and by doing so, we will not only safeguard ecosystems but also enhance human health, social resilience, and long-term societal prosperity.

Why is a healthy Ocean essential for human health and wellbeing? As the largest ecosystem on Earth, the Ocean is a vital, interconnected system for all life, including humanity. The Ocean produces 50% of oxygen essential for life (Grégoire et al, 2023) and absorbs 25% of CO2 from the atmosphere, supporting the fight against the climate crisis (Hoegh-Guldberg et al, 2019). The OCT Conservation Strategy 2022- 2027 states that: ‘A thriving Ocean is beautifully biodiverse, with each creature and plant fulfilling a unique place in the ecosystem, ensuring resilience and strength. A thriving Ocean is able to store carbon and maintain the water and nitrogen cycles and other essential natural processes that shape our planet. Livelihoods and economies are built on a thriving Ocean, providing us with products and services that are integral to our daily lives. A thriving Ocean is one that provides a daily catch for local people and that can contribute to feeding a growing global population. Many countries rely on a thriving Ocean to provide opportunities for recreation and tourism. Often overlooked is the Ocean’s vital role in shaping our cultural and emotional wellbeing. A thriving Ocean not only connects us to a sense of place, but also provides powerful opportunities for both physical rejuvenation and mental restoration’.

Valuing the Ocean to Protect It When people, communities, and organisations understand the Ocean’s environmental, social, economic, and cultural importance, they are more likely to take action to safeguard it. This can include adopting sustainable practices, supporting marine conservation policies, or investing in initiatives that restore and protect ecosystems. Valuing the Ocean for human health and wellbeing through access to blue spaces and Ocean-based activities provides an additional incentive to maintain healthy marine environments for current and future generations. In this way, valuing and protecting the Ocean are closely linked: understanding its importance motivates the actions necessary to ensure that the Ocean continues to sustain life, communities, and societies. Furthermore, evidence shows that connection to nature inspires pro-environmental behaviour (Liu et al, 2022). The opportunity to support proOcean behaviour has never been more vitally needed, as the impacts of climate change are rapidly felt across the globe (Progress in adapting to climate change 2025 report to Parliament, 2025).

The role of nature, wellbeing and the Social Prescription Service Research increasingly highlights the role of nature in promoting human health and wellbeing, and it is now being more widely applied as part of strategies to support mental health. The first iterations of nature being recognised for its healing properties date back to the 1600s, where Florence Nightingale noted the impact of brightly coloured flowers on the physical and emotional wellbeing of soldiers in the Crimean War: ‘I shall never forget the rapture of fever patients over a bunch of brightly coloured flowers … people say the effect is only on the mind. It is no such thing. The effect is on the body, too!’ (McDonald, 2009) Social prescribing is the term used to describe non-medical, community-based interventions to address a range of wellbeing challenges, including loneliness, isolation, and stress related to daily life struggles, such as finances, housing and relationships (National Academy for Social Prescribing, 20261). Individuals are referred or prescribed activities through social prescribers or link workers, who are professionals able to signpost those in need to services within the community. Social prescription activities can vary, from volunteer opportunities, visits to places of interest such as museums, to outdoor activities such as gardening. At its core, holistic social prescribing aims to support an individual to be healthy, as opposed to focusing solely on the medical condition (Howarth et al., 2020). The impact of nature-based solutions is seen to be cost-effective in comparison to other interventions supporting individual mental health, with social prescribing initiatives being found to have major wellbeing improvements, equating to a £9 social value return for every £1 invested (Bu et al, 2026). Social prescription services globally are also similar returns on investment, with an estimated $4.43 return on every $1 invested across a national social prescribing implementation in Canada (Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing, 2024).

However, many of the services that are offered focus solely on terrestrial activities, such as nature walking in forests, tree planting and community gardening, and fail to acknowledge the power of blue spaces when supporting wellbeing. ‘Blue prescribing’ can be defined as: a non-clinical, nature-based therapeutic intervention. As part of the broader social prescribing movement, healthcare providers, such as general practitioners, can refer patients to community programs and activities rather than or in addition to traditional pharmaceuticals. The "blue" in this context refers specifically to "blue spaces," or environments involving water, such as wetlands, lakes, rivers, and the Ocean (What is Blue Prescribing? Decoding its Diverse Meanings). Well planned and funded social prescribing services must be embedded within the NHS to be effective.

The UK Mental Health Crisis Society is facing a rise in poor mental health and the accompanying physical and societal issues associated with this. An estimated 25% of adults in the UK report experience of at least one diagnosable mental health problem annually (Liubertine et al., 2025). Referral rates for adults to access mental health support have been increasing at 3.3% per year (Darzi, 2024), whereas for young people, rates have been 11.7% annually, seeing a rapid increase from an average of 40,000 referrals a month in 2016 to approximately 120,000 in 2024 (Darzi, 2024). Waiting times for support with poor mental health still dramatically lag behind help for physical health, with 8 x as many people still waiting for mental health support 18 months after initial contact in comparison to those waiting physical health treatments (Rethink, 2025). 4 in 10 people waiting for treatment said that they received no support whilst waiting, with 71% of people reported worsening mental health when waiting for over 6 months (CQC, 2025).

The Darzi Report (Darzi, 2024) and the 10 Year Health Plan for England (Fit for the Future, 2025) both emphasise the need for investment in community health, with investment needed in GP surgeries, as well as family and wellbeing hubs. Dubbed a ‘Neighbourhood Health Service’, the 10 Year Health Plan for England, priority would be given in this investment to services that prevent people from going to hospital and support to policies encouraging healthy lives. Current government targets do not currently target mental health waiting times, placing focus instead on physical health (Rethink, 2025).

The costs of poor mental health are far reaching beyond the impact to individuals, with both the direct (loss of productivity) and indirect (role of unpaid carers) associated costs accounting for £117.9 billion in 2019, approximately 5% of the UK’s GDP for that year – for comparison, the costs of running the NHS in England for 2019 were £150.4 billion (McDaid et al., 2022).

The OCT believes that the Ocean is an underutilised resource in the mosaic of social prescribing activity.

Figures for 2024 show that post-pandemic costs of poor mental health rose to £300 billion in England, with an annual budget of £150 billion remaining for NHS England (Mind, 2024).

What is the Blue Mind Hub? Blue Mind Hub (BMH) is an Ocean-based wellbeing project, run by the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT), aimed at people who live with poor mental health in the Plymouth community. Blue Mind Theory describes the relationship between the Ocean and humans’ wellbeing, with research showing that individuals benefit physically, mentally and spiritually from being in, on or around the Ocean (Job et al, 2022; Wheaton et al., 2021). The term ‘Blue Mind’ was coined by the late Dr Wallace J. Nichols and highlights the restorative effect blue spaces can have on mental health and positive effect on wellbeing (Nichols, 2014). The programme supports the global Ocean Health, Human Health movement by recognising that Ocean health is critical for human health. The programme provides a practical example of how accessing healthy blue spaces can positively impact us. If humans continue to negatively impact the Ocean, we will lose the potential benefits to our own health and wellbeing. the OCT’s Blue Mind Hub connects typically excluded communities to the Ocean through experiential, immersive opportunities, driving pro-Ocean behaviour and a recognition of the role of the Ocean in human wellbeing. How does the Blue Mind Hub work? The programme uses social prescribing to identify individuals most in need of support. It was successfully piloted in 2023, and delivered programmes for the residents of Plymouth ever since. The project works using the following aims: To get people in, on and around blue space* To help people to gain confidence using blue spaces To encourage people to use blue spaces as a place for positive wellbeing To create a safe and welcoming environment for people

*Blue space refers to anywhere with a body of water e.g. the beach, a lake, a river, the National Marine Aquarium (NMA).

Who delivers the programme? BMH is delivered in partnership between the OCT and local prescribing services. The OCT Engagement team deliver the programme for participants, taking care of programme design, evaluation, administration and development. A vital element of the BMH is the relationship with GPs, social prescribing services and other community networks. Our participants join our programme via referrals from link workers situated in GP surgeries and social prescription services. Currently, we communicate with link workers from a huge array of services across the city of Plymouth to encourage potential participants to join the programme. All link workers receive training from the OCT Ocean Engagement team, covering the programme’s purpose and how to prescribe it. Prescribers use their training and knowledge of individuals to determine suitability for one of the three activity programmes, recognizing the complexity and individuality of mental health without discriminating based on conditions.

Programme Overview The Blue Mind Hub hosts 3 different programmes, making an Ocean-based experience accessible to all. All projects last around 5-8 weeks (one morning or afternoon per week) and are free to attend for participants due to funding from the OCT. Step into Snorkelling Over the course of the programme, this snorkelbased activity builds participants' confidence in getting into the water and exploring their local shores. Initially, they rockpool in the areas where they will later snorkel. All necessary snorkel equipment is provided in various sizes to fit everyone. The sessions are led by BSAC qualified Ocean Discovery Rangers who ensure safety, offer reassurance, and help identify marine life encountered.

Blue Views Blue Views is a coastal land-based project offering Ocean activities without having to get into the water. Recognizing that snorkelling isn't enjoyed and accessible for everyone, it provides a land-based alternative. Participants enjoy visits to the National Marine Aquarium, coastal walks, virtual reality sessions, art workshops, rockpool safaris, and boat trips.

Accessible Ocean Accessible Ocean is a flexible programme, working with those who are identified as needing strengthened support e.g. veterans, people living with early-stage dementia and young people in the CAMHS system. Groups are supported by carers or support staff in an accessible environment, limiting overwhelm from being in unfamiliar groups. Activities are co-designed with group leaders to provide the most beneficial, accessible sessions possible.

Measuring Impact During the duration of the programme, participants complete three types of selfreflective evaluation form: pre and post programme forms, and post activity forms. Pre- and post-session evaluation The pre and post forms use the WarwickEdinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWS), which was developed to enable the measurement of mental wellbeing in the general population and to evaluate projects, programmes and policies which aim to improve mental wellbeing. The evaluation covers both feeling and functioning aspects of mental wellbeing, using a scoring system to assess overall wellbeing.

This produces a score, with a minimum overall score of 14, and a maximum of 70. The scale has been widely used nationally and internationally. It is recommended that wellbeing scores are compared before and after the programme, and if there is a positive change in at least 3 of the metrics, then there has been 'meaningful change' in mental wellbeing – it can detect improvements and deterioration.

Participants rate their agreement with a series of positively framed statements such as ‘I feel confident’ or ‘I feel loved’, based on feelings over the past two weeks with a score of: 1 = None of the time; 2 = Not very often; 3 = Some of the time; 4 = Very often; 5 = All of the time.

Considerations when using the WarwickEdinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale The WEMWBS was originally designed for studies that needed to include at least 50 people with evaluation data at two points in time, or 50 people in each group if two groups are going to be compared. WEMWBS was designed as a research tool to be used in populations. However, its responsiveness to change has been evaluated both at the population and the individual level, and at the individual level a change of about three or more points can be considered significant, in the context of projects and programmes to enable self-reflection as a prelude to involvement with health-enhancing activities. Investigations suggest that a change of three or more points is likely to be recognisable to an individual, but different statistical methods provide estimates ranging from three points to eight points. Individual activity feedback After each activity post activity forms were given out, to assess individual wellbeing as well as impact after specific activities, giving participants an opportunity to comment on their enjoyment of the sessions themselves. This information is used to inform activity planning for subsequent programmes.

Wellbeing is assessed by a series of Likert Type questions. All statements are phrased in the past tense and refer to an aspect of emotion or quality of life experienced by a participant while taking part in an activity, e.g. ‘I felt happy’. Each statement is rated out of five depending on the extent of agreement with it (1 = None of the time; 2 = Not very often; 3 = Some of the time; 4 = Very often; 5 = All of the time). An average score across all parameters can be used to assess the impact on wellbeing. In 2025, Accessible Ocean - Ocean Memories was evaluated at the end of each activity using a statement agreement scale, to support ease for the participants, who found self-reflective evaluation challenging to complete. The following statements were read out, and then participants would raise their hand if they agreed: I had fun I learned something new I love the Ocean more after today I will tell someone about what I did today This report details the impact that experiencing Blue Spaces has had on the wellbeing of different target audiences

To assess wellbeing on specific activities across both Blue Mind Hub and Ocean Engagement activities, the OCT uses the UCL Museum Wellbeing Measures Toolkit (Linda, Thomson and Chatterjee, n.d.), a set of scales of measurement used to assess levels of wellbeing arising from participation in museum and gallery activities. The Toolkit measures psychological wellbeing as an indicator of the mental state of the individual. Although there are other aspects of wellbeing such as physical and social wellbeing, the Toolkit focuses on levels of self-reported changes in mood and emotion as these aspects of wellbeing are the ones that are more likely to change as a result of a short intervention, such as participating in a museum or gallery activity.

Recommendations With wait times for mental health support being eight times longer than for physical health treatment, our Blue Mind Hub offers replicable solutions to help reduce these figures, demonstrating the benefits of blue spaces and outlining potential methods that can be incorporated into the government’s approach to preventative healthcare. The Ocean Conservation Trust aims to see programmes such as the Blue Mind Hub expand in number and gain national recognition for their vital role not only in mental health services but also in fostering marine citizenship. To achieve this, we need to engage government bodies and link workers to act as advocates in the decision-making process.

Our asks to Government

Blue is Green We need blue prescribing to be recognised within social prescribing, we need to see it embedded and reflected through current and future mental health care strategies, with specific inclusion in future developments to the NHS Long Term Plan. Fund Interventions – Support Prevention Achieve NHS targets by ring fencing national funding for the development and creation of projects like Blue Mind Hub, and support these with robust evaluation frameworks of current and ongoing activity, integrated with other social prescribing models. Support Cross Sectoral Working We call on the UK Government to formally recognise healthy Oceans and blue spaces as critical public health infrastructure, and to develop a cross-departmental strategy that embeds Ocean health within prevention, mental health and environmental policy. This should include commissioning a crossgovernment consultation to examine the health, environmental and economic impacts of blue space social prescribing and to integrate these findings into future updates of the Environmental Improvement Plan and NHS prevention strategies.

Our ask to Ocean Advocates & Link Workers: Link Workers and Healthcare Professionals Support Blue Prescribing Blue is Green - Call for more blue interventions alongside green prescribing. Support GP and healthcare professionals consider the benefits of blue social prescribing and engaging with blue spaces. Learn more about the programmes by joining us for training, or how to get involved please contact us. Ocean Advocates – Communities, Mental Health Advocates, and Individuals If you have read this report and support and value what is written, here are some steps you could take to have your own Blue Mind moment or share our crucial work: Make time for yourself and your own wellbeing by finding your local blue space and sharing with your community. Talk about blue prescribing within your community and seek out the options within your council area. Write to your MP, call for more programmes such as Blue Mind Hub, or reference the recommendations in this report to help people and our planet.

Overall Impact Blue Mind Hub has been part of the OCT’s core delivery programme since 2023, supporting participants with a diverse range of mental and physical needs through Blue Views and Step into Snorkelling. Below shows highlights of the programme to date and the positive impact it has had on the community:

2023 Impact - Pilot year 85%

of participants across reported a significant positive impact on their wellbeing*

4.26/5

average activity wellbeing score

“The Ocean Discovery Rangers were enthusiastic, inspiring, patient, kind, non-judgemental empaths.”

participants completed 8 week programmes

Social prescribing organisations gave referrals

“The Rangers were kind, caring, understanding with me and gave me confidence - they were great’”

2024 Impact 79%

4/5

of participants across reported a significant positive impact on their wellbeing*

average activity wellbeing score

“[Blue Mind Hub] has made me feel more enjoyment from the Ocean”

participants completed 8 week programmes

participants utilising OCT funded bus tickets to access programme

“I am always nervous before, then excited, exhilarated and pleased with myself afterwards”

*Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale

2025 Impact 2025 was the second year of delivery of the Blue Mind Hub, integrating learnings from the pilot scheme. With sessions planned for the whole year, participants could be scheduled for activities that would benefit them most. The opportunity to stay engaged with the OCT was also given to participants - for example, if an individual had taken part in the Blue Views programme, they would be offered the chance to take part in the Step into Snorkel programme without needing to be referred again by a social prescriber.

2025 79%

of participants across reported a significant positive impact on their wellbeing*

4.5/5

average activity wellbeing score

participants completed 8 week programmes

participants utilising OCT funded bus tickets to access programme

Comments from participants:

[Blue Mind Hub] has made me feel more enjoyment from the Ocean

[Blue Mind Hub] has given me positive feelings being around sea life and doing activities related to the Ocean

Prescriber Feedback Since 2023, the OCT has worked with 27 link workers from a variety of health, social care and wellbeing services across Plymouth. Feedback surveys were sent to prescribers to fill in, to help understand strengths and weaknesses, and support future delivery of the programme.

All prescribers who responded to our survey agreed: Participants enjoyed Blue Mind Hub activities Participants could tell them something new they had learned about the Ocean Participants were going to continue using the Ocean as a place of wellbeing after the programme Found the referral process easy to do One client told me that they would love to do it again as they found it so beneficial to their wellbeing. They said they felt relaxed and 16 refreshed and mentally more balanced.

Accessible Ocean Pilot Scheme 2025 2025 also marked the first year of delivery across ‘Accessible Ocean’ sessions, designed with specific audiences to allow access to the Ocean in a way that benefits the community. The scheme has previously been trialled, with social prescribers and link workers able to refer participants to a programme that utilises the NMA as a centre for a 5-week set of activities. These are activities from Blue Views, allowing those with limited mobility and wheelchair users to be able to take part. However, uptake was extremely low, resulting in a pivot of the scheme to engage audiences outside of the existing social prescribing schemes.

Working with the Royal Navy, Livewell Southwest, Age UK Plymouth and Memory Matters, the OCT was able to engage the armed forces, people living with dementia and young people in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to engage with the Ocean in unique and exciting ways, through tailored activities that we co-designed with their group leaders. This ensured the activities and feedback systems were suitable for groups to be able to focus on enjoyment of blue space, rather than navigating triggers for negative emotion or not being able to take part in activities at all. Each of the three pilot schemes for Accessible Ocean are detailed overleaf, showing the benefit of engaging with audiences that may typically be excluded from taking part in activities.

RNRC Hasler Programme 2025 In July 2025, the OCT was able to work with the Royal Navy Recovery Centre (RNRC) Hasler in the first of its Accessible Ocean programmes. Accessible Ocean is designed to work with specific user groups in co-created Blue Mind Hub programming. Each Accessible Ocean looks different from one another, to allow users to get the most benefit from the activities, which are supported by staff the user groups are already familiar with. Activity Overview Over a two week period, participants took part in the following activities: Visits to the National Marine Aquarium, including behind the scenes tours Ocean Plastics and Plankton workshop Boat Trip around Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Mindfulness session Heritage coastal walking around Plymouth Barbican and Hoe Rockpool Safari at Mount Batten Beach

Impact Average increase in WEMWS of 5.4 points across programme (largest increase of 23 points in one participant)

Impact 18

participants across two weeks. (8 participants completing programme)

4.2/5

average post-activity wellbeing score

Social prescribing organisations gave referrals

Comments from participants:

“the programme has calmed me this two weeks fresh air, learning about the sea”

“[Blue Mind Hub] added a sense of structure to my days/routine. Helped me to integrate outside of the rehab environment”

Youth Accessible Ocean Programme 2025 In 2025, the OCT was able to work with Livewell Southwest at Plym Bridge House, a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service provision, in the first of its Accessible Ocean programmes for young people. Plym Bridge House is a secure psychiatric unit that supports young people experiencing severe mental health problems. Accessible Ocean is designed to work with specific user groups in cocreated Blue Mind Hub programming. Each Accessible Ocean looks different from one another, to allow users to get the most benefit from the activities, which are supported by staff the user groups are already familiar with.

Activity Overview Over the course of 3 weeks, participants took part in the following activities: Ward Based Sessions Ocean Plastics workshop Virtual Reality and artefact handling session Off-Ward Sessions Visits to the National Marine Aquarium, including behind the scenes experiences Rockpooling at Mount Batten Beach Boat Trip around Plymouth Sound National Marine Park

83%

of participants across reported a significant positive impact on their wellbeing*

participants took part in Accessible Ocean sessions (6 completing the programme)

88%

of participants felt interacting with the Ocean was important for their wellbeing

95%

of participants enjoyed the sessions

Case Studies: Individual Improvement One young person who is nearly 18 is now exploring volunteering opportunities with the NMA and is hoping to join a community based Blue Minds programme to aid their transition to community care. One young person told us the boat trip was one of the best experiences of their life, this young person has profound OCD and previously did not leave their home for over 12 months, this is a significant step in their recovery journey. *Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale

Ocean Memories Programme 2025 In 2025, the OCT was able to work with Age UK Plymouth and Memory Matters in the first of its Accessible Ocean programmes for people living with dementia. Accessible Ocean is designed to work with specific user groups in co-created Blue Mind Hub programming. Each Accessible Ocean looks different from one another, to allow users to get the most benefit from the activities, which are supported by staff the user groups are already familiar with. This Accessible Ocean programme was kindly funded by Service Design Solutions.

97%

participants took part in workshop activities

of participants had fun

Activity Overview Between August and October, participants took part in the following activities: Visit to the National Marine Aquarium Sensory Under the Sea workshop Virtual Reality and artefact handling session

56%

of participants completing programme showed significant improvement in their wellbeing

95%

of participants would tell someone about what they had seen on the sessions

Comments from participants:

“[The programme] has made me more aware of the Ocean”

“[The programme has] opened my eyes to things I didn’t know”

Blue Mind Hub Case Study Whilst we are able to measure impact with data and statistics, numbers can’t always capture the first-hand experiences of the participants who have joined us on Blue Mind Hub activities. Dan took part in both Step into Snorkelling and Blue Views, after being referred to the OCT to support his long-standing mental health difficulties, and has since continued to volunteer in our Blue Mind Community Garden.

What was it that attracted you to Blue Mind Hub in the first place? I saw it advertised on the door of a gardening scheme I was already a part of and was able to speak to the link worker about joining. I enjoy doing anything to do with the sea and being around animals – I think I may have been a coastal being in a previous life!

Why do you think the Ocean is important to you? It’s 70% of the planet! It’s also a part of who I am – for many generations, my family have been in the Royal Navy, and I would spend time with my Dad on the sea as I was growing up. So there’s always been an affinity with me looking at the sea. It’s also a therapeutic aspect of my life as well, and the studies that say cold water and sea swimming does good things for you, which I definitely feel is true. I couldn’t imagine my life without the Ocean now – it has become a vital part of my life now, and I couldn’t imagine my life without it.

What were the lasting impacts of taking part in Blue Mind Hub on you? Well, I certainly pay attention when I’m at the beach and in the sea more now. I used to sea swim, but snorkelling was something new to me and has become my favourite Ocean-y activity to do. I took my partner snorkelling at a local beach recently, and we saw lots of fish, jellyfish and crabs. I didn’t know what a lot of these animals were before doing Blue Mind Hub but now, not only can I identify them, but I can enjoy them, whereas I took it for granted before. When I started the programme, I had less knowledge of the impact humans had on the Ocean, and by the end I had more respect for marine life. My partner and I are also looking for a new place to live, and one of the boxes that needed ticking for me is that we need to be near the sea to be able to access it.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about taking part in Blue Mind Hub activities? Don’t even think about it, just do it! Even if you aren’t interested in the Ocean, give it a chance. Blue Mind Hub had a very significant part to play in supporting me in how I use the Ocean for my mood – there’s always things to look at, to hear, there’s always things to feel when you’re near the sea and nothing has had the same impact on improving my mood.

Why should people support Blue Mind Hub activities with the Ocean Conservation Trust? It’s something that helps people. Medicine isn’t always the answer for everything, and none of the therapies I have done have had the same impact and being in, looking at or being close to the sea. I wish other people could have access to the programmes I’ve done with you to be able to get the same benefits – I think people would be pleasantly surprised by the positive impact and the benefits that introducing them to Ocean could have for them.

Discussion Impact to date: Our Blue Mind Hub activities have engaged with 82 people since 2023 in a variety of immersive, restorative activities. Of these, 55 people have completed a full programme of activities, showing the positive impact that being in, on and around blue spaces can have on human wellbeing. 76% of participants completing programme of Blue Mind activities showed meaningful or significant improvement in wellbeing score. Notes on data Year on year, data shows a reduction in wellbeing scores, which would suggest the programme is overall less effective. However, as the OCT has been able to increase the number of participants able to access Blue Mind Hub activities, wellbeing scores are more accurate and able to better demonstrate the impact that the Ocean has on wellbeing at a wider population level. Individual differences may also impact on wellbeing scores - some participants are referred onto the programme because they have demonstrated a previous interest in being outdoors in nature or have a particular affinity with water. These individuals may have a very different perspective on how the activities impacted their wellbeing compared to those who are participating in Ocean based activities for the first time.

Blue Mind Hub will continue to work in Plymouth, connecting with local organisations to continue supporting people living with poor mental health. Accessible Ocean, targeting specific parts of the community, will also continue to be developed, to ensure that support from the Ocean is inclusive to all who wish to use it. Future plans Future hubs will also be developed across the UK, looking to areas where the OCT have existing community connections and partners, to support a joined up approach to blue health practice.

Results from this impact report will be written into a peer-reviewed article, to share across the scientific community, taking our impact further into the psychology, health and social care sectors. These results will continue to be shared with the community through conferences, seminars and other gatherings, to continue highlighting the importance of the Ocean (and other blue spaces) in the role of human wellbeing.

Blue Mind Further Afield 2025 opened the door to present Blue Mind Hub at different events and conferences in the UK and Europe, highlighting the importance link between human health and the health of the Ocean on an international platform, as well as showcase the pivotal work the OCT is undertaking in this area: Presented a scientific poster at the One Ocean Science Congress ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference, engaging with delegates from all over the world on the interaction between human and Ocean health Delivered talks at British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Annual and Conservation Conferences, as well as the annual European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA) conference to delegates from across zoo, aquarium and marine education sectors. OCT charity partner for Navium ‘Blue Mind Garden’, co-designed with Ashleigh Aylett to bring Blue Mind theory to life in plant form, and engage with international audiences across the show week about Blue Mind Hub. The garden won ‘Best in Show’ and a Gold commendation for its category, and has been relocated to the NMA Blue Mind Garden.

Media Radio interview with BBC Inside Science at the One Ocean Science Congress National story on BBC News, with filmed piece regionally, about Blue Mind Hub activities and the need for Ocean-based social prescribing to be featured in NHS Strategy

Links to our Conservation Strategy Blue Mind Hub activities are an integral part of the Ocean Engagement programme, and are vital for moving the OCT’s Conservation Strategy forward. Below, the links that Blue Mind Hub has to the Strategy can be found:

Strategy Focus

01 Connect people to the Ocean

03 Advocate for Ocean health

05 Evolve our organisation sustainably

Strategic Goal

How activity demonstrates this

Provide accessible digital experiences that start or develop connections with the Ocean

Virtual reality is used in early Blue Mind sessions to support people feeling immersed in Ocean habitats

Encourage the Blue Mind ethos, facilitating connections to the Ocean to support wellbeing and mindfulness and work with health practitioners towards blue prescribing

Blue Mind Hub exemplifies this goal by being specifically created for it.

Use the NMA to inspire people from a diverse range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to love and connect with the Ocean.

Users of Blue Mind Hub are from a diverse range of backgrounds across the population makeup of Plymouth

Be an influential voice encouraging people to #thinkOcean

Blue Mind participants come away from activities with new connections to the Ocean, and ways they think about it.

Make the Ocean accessible to a larger and more diverse audience

Users of Blue Mind Hub are from a diverse range of backgrounds across the population makeup of Plymouth

Engage a large and diverse audience by producing creative, impactful and accessible digital content

Virtual reality is used in early Blue Mind sessions to support people feeling immersed in Ocean habitats

References Bu, F., Hayes, D., Munford, L. et al. The impact of social prescribing on well-being outcomes in a nationwide analysis. Nat. Health 1, 737–744 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44360-026-00099-w [Accessed 27/07/2026] Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing. (2024). A Healthier Canada: An analysis of the potential economic and social impacts of social prescribing. https://irp.cdn-website.com/92bb31b3/files/uploaded/A_Healthier_CanadaAn_ Analysis_of_the_Potential_Economic_and_Social_Impacts_of_Social_Prescribing.pdf [Accessed 27/07/2026] Cracknell, D., White, M. P., Pahl, S., Nichols, W. J., & Depledge, M. H. (2015). Marine Biota and Psychological WellBeing: A Preliminary Examination of Dose–Response Effects in an Aquarium Setting: A Preliminary Examination of Dose–Response Effects in an Aquarium Setting. Environment and Behavior, 48(10), 1242-1269. https://doiorg.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/10.1177/0013916515597512 (Original work published 2016) CQC (2025) High demand, long waits, and insufficient support, mean people with mental health issues still not getting the support they need. Available at: High demand, long waits, and insufficient support, mean people with mental health issues still not getting the support they need - Care Quality Commission [Accessed 13/01/2026] Darzi, A (2024) Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England. Available at: Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England [Accessed 13/01/2026] Grégoire, M., Oschlies, A., Canfield, D., Castro, C., Ciglenečki, I., Croot, P., Salin, K., Schneider, B., Serret, P., Slomp, C.P., Tesi, T., Yücel, M. (2023). Ocean Oxygen: the role of the Ocean in the oxygen we breathe and the threat of deoxygenation. Rodriguez Perez, A., Kellett, P., Alexander, B., Muñiz Piniella, Á., Van Elslander, J., Heymans, J. J., [Eds.] Future Science Brief No . 10 of the European Marine Board, Ostend, Belgium. ISSN: 2593-5232. ISBN: 9789464206180. DOI: 10.5281/ zenodo.7941157 Gould van Praag, C.D. et al. (2017) ‘Mind-wandering and alterations to default mode network connectivity when listening to naturalistic versus artificial sounds’, Scientific Reports, p. 45273. doi:10.1038/srep45273. Hoegh-Guldberg. O., et al. 2019. ‘‘The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change: Five Opportu[1]nities for Action.’’ Report. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute. Available online at http://www.oceanpanel.org/climate Howarth, M., Griffiths, A., da Silva, A., Green, R. (2020) Social prescribing: a ‘natural’ community-based solution. British Journal of Community Nursing, 25(6) https://doi-org.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/10.12968/bjcn.2020.25.6.294 Job, S., Heales, L. and Obst, S. (2022) 'Oceans of opportunity for universal beach accessibility: An integrated model for health and wellbeing in people with disability', Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46(3), 252+, available: http://dx.doi.org.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/10.1111/1753-6405.13246 [accessed 15 Jan 2026]. Liubertiene, G., Sloman, A., Morris, S., Bhavsar, V., Clark, C., Das-Munshi, J., Jenkins, R., McManus, S., Oram, S., & Wessely, S. (2025). Common mental health conditions. In Morris, S., Hill, S., Brugha, T., McManus, S. (Eds.), Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing, England, 2023/4. NHS England. McRuer, J., Glithero, D., McKinley, E., Pagès, J., Fauville, G., Morris-Webb, E., Hart, N., Strang, C., Christofoletti, R., Hulme, S., Grainger, E., Pinheiro, B., Payne, D., Bridge, N., Lindoso, V., Martins, I., Zandvliet, D., Bueno Fernandes, M., Bumbeer, J., & Shellock, R. (2025). The Ocean & Society Survey: A Global Tool for Understanding People–Ocean Connections and Mobilizing Ocean Action. Ocean and Society, 2, Article 9809. https://doi.org/10.17645/oas.9809 Linda, D., Thomson, J. and Chatterjee, H. (n.d.). UCL Creative Wellbeing Measures Toolkit UCL Creative Wellbeing Measures Toolkit Contents. [online] Available at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences/sites/life_sciences/files/ucl_creative_wellbeing_measures_toolkit_sept22.pdf. Liu, Y., Cleary, A., Fielding, K. S., Murray, Z., & Roiko, A. (2022). Nature connection, pro-environmental behaviours and wellbeing: Understanding the mediating role of nature contact. Landscape and Urban Planning, 228, Article 104550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104550

References McDaid, D., Park, A-L., (2022) The economic case for investing in the prevention of mental health conditions in the UK. The Mental Health Foundation. Available at: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-06/MHF-Investing-in-Prevention-Full-Report.pdf [Accessed 08/01/2026 McDonald, L. (2009) Florence Nightingale: the Nightingale school. Collected works of Florence Nightingale. Vol. 12. Waterloo (Canada): Wilfrid Laurier Press Mind (2024) The Big Mental Health Report. Available at: Big Mental Health Report 2024 [Accessed 13/01/2026] National Academy of Social Prescribing (2026)1 What is Social Prescribing? Available at: What is Social Prescribing? | NASP [Accessed 13/01/2026] National Academy of Social Prescribing (2026)2 Green Social Prescribing. Available at: Green Social Prescribing - National Academy for Social Prescribing | NASP [Accessed 13/01/2026] Nichols, W.J. (2014) Blue mind: The surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do. New York: Hachette Audio. Pasanen, T.P. et al. (2019) ‘Neighbourhood Blue Space, health and wellbeing: The mediating role of different types of physical activity’, Environment International, 131, p. 105016. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2019.105016. Progress in adapting to climate change 2025 report to Parliament. (2025). Available at: https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Progress-in-adapting-to-climate-change2025-1.pdf. Rethink, 2025 New analysis of NHS data on mental health waiting times Available at: New analysis of NHS data on mental health waiting times Available at: https://www.rethink.org/news-and-stories/mediacentre/2025/02/new-analysis-of-nhs-data-on-mental-health-waiting-times/ [Accessed 13/01/2026] Thoma, M. V., Mewes, R., & Nater, U. M. (2018). Preliminary evidence: the stress-reducing effect of listening to water sounds depends on somatic complaints: A randomized trial. Medicine, 97(8), e9851. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000009851 Thomas, N. and Kim, S.-K. (2013) “Beneficial Effects of Marine Algal Compounds in Cosmeceuticals,” Marine drugs. Switzerland: MDPI AG, pp. 146–164. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/md11010146 Wheaton, B., Waiti, J. T. A., Olive, R., & Kearns, R. (2021). Coastal Communities, Leisure and Wellbeing: Advancing a Trans-Disciplinary Agenda for Understanding Ocean-Human Relationships in Aotearoa New Zealand. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 450. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020450 White, M. et al. (2010) ‘Blue space: The importance of water for preference, affect, and restorativeness ratings of natural and built scenes’, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(4), pp. 482–493. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.04.004. White, M. P., Elliot, L.R., Gascon, M., Roberts, B., Fleming, L.E. (2020) Blue space, health and wellbeing: A narrative overview and synthesis of potential benefits. Environmental Research 191

Blue Mind Hub Impact Report Author: Freyja Thomson-Alberts Edited by: Nicola Bridge, Grace Clifford 2026 Published: September 2026 For all enquiries contact: bluemind@oceanconservationtrust.org