At Soul Tribe, we believe that healing and wellbeing grow best when we combine the power of nature with meaningful human connection. Recent research from Singapore a bustling tropical city—supports this idea and offers valuable insights for communities like ours.

Social Support and Nature: Two Keys to Wellbeing

It’s well established that our health and wellbeing depend heavily on the social support we receive. Having a strong sense of community, trust, and regular social interactions can make a profound difference in how we feel mentally and emotionally. Equally, spending time in nature whether it’s in parks, gardens, or urban green spaces has been shown to improve health, reduce stress, and enhance mood.

But how do these two forces—social connection and nature experiences interact? And how can they be nurtured together to benefit people living in cities, especially in diverse and non-Western cultures?

Insights from Singapore to Surrey: Nature, Social Cohesion, and Connection

A study of 1,249 residents in Singapore measured various aspects of social cohesion (including trust, sense of community, and social interactions) alongside different ways people connect with nature:

• The amount of green space around their homes

• Frequency and duration of visits to urban green spaces

• Visits to gardens

• Their personal identification with nature, desire to experience it, and environmental concern

The findings were encouraging:

• People who strongly identify with nature and enjoy spending time in it tend to have a stronger sense of social cohesion, particularly in terms of trust and feeling part of a community.

• Frequent visits to gardens were linked to stronger social bonds and a deeper connection to nature.

• Those who garden regularly also tended to visit green spaces more often and showed a strong desire to engage with nature daily.

Interestingly, those with a high level of environmental concern worry about environmental issues sometimes felt less socially connected, perhaps reflecting frustration with how society handles these problems.

What This Means for Soul Tribe and Our Community

This research highlights how local, nature-based, community activities like gardening together or walking in local green spaces can play a crucial role in:

• Boosting social support and trust among neighbours

• Increasing daily nature experiences that improve wellbeing

• Creating a shared sense of identity and belonging

At Soul Tribe, this reinforces our mission to offer inclusive, nature-focused activities such as group walks, gardening clubs, and outdoor meet-ups. These not only nurture individual mental health but also weave stronger social ties, fostering a community where women feel supported, connected, and empowered.

Our Path Forward

By encouraging and facilitating regular, accessible interactions with nature in local green spaces, we can help build a resilient community. Activities that invite collaboration like garden projects or group nature walks can deepen nature connection and social cohesion, helping women reclaim their wellbeing in supportive, healing environments.

If you’d like to join us in this journey or have ideas for nature-based activities, get in touch or fill out our community survey to help shape what Soul Tribe offers next.