304 How nature and culture provide a sanctuary for escaping the struggles of being a migrant and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Black, ethnic minority, and refugee communities in England - a qualitative study

Abstract OP 18: Mental Health 1, B304 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30 - 14:30 Background Black, ethnic minority, and refugee communities in England tend to live in unhealthy urban environments and be at greatest risk of poor mental health and wellbeing. Yet these communities are least likely to engage with green and cultural assets that could improve mental health and reduce health inequalities. This research aimed to generate lived experience stories of the relationship and engagement of these communities with green and cultural assets, and how such assets intersect or not with their mental health, migrant status, values, and interests. It is part of a larger “Abundance” study developing and evaluating community-led ways to encourage beneficial engagement with green and cultural assets. Methods A multi-site qualitative study in England using lived experience storytelling. Twenty-seven volunteer community voice champions recruited by five ethnic minority and refugee community organisations in South West London participated in a cycle of collaborative, community experience-focused workshops. The volunteers subsequently collected 156 stories from community members. Data were coded and thematically analysed using deductive and inductive coding approaches. The process was collaborative and reflexive, the intention being to develop themes that were interpretive of the data. Results Findings highlighted personal, community, and place-based sensitivities of ethnicity, inequality and mental health, intersecting with shared values and engagement with cultural and green assets. Nature and culture provided a sanctuary for escaping the struggles of being a migrant and associated mental health issues. Participants reported finding peace, tranquillity, and clarity of mind from accessing green and cultural spaces. Associated themes included stigma and isolation, mistrust of institutions, barriers to access, staying close to cultural roots, community belonging, and safety of place. Conclusions The research generated new psychosocial knowledge to be used in co-designing, with ethnic minority and refugee community members, interventions that encourage engagement with cultural and green assets, helping reduce mental health inequalities.