Green Landscapes of Care: The Potential of Gardens to Support the Well-Being of Asylum Seekers in Ireland

Felicity Daly (), Sally Ann Lenehan and Jacqui O’Riordan
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Felicity Daly: Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dubin, Dublin 2, Ireland
Sally Ann Lenehan: Independent Researcher, Leap, Co Cork, Ireland
Jacqui O’Riordan: School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, T12 HY8E Cork, Ireland

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: Engaging vulnerable migrants in nature-based activities demonstrates that access to green space can provide a safe place to process trauma, allowing vulnerable forced migrants to enhance their sense of subjective well-being, to breathe and to be. Framed by the feminist ethics of care concept of ‘universal care’, this qualitative study utilised semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion and participant observation to explore asylum seekers’ opportunities for giving and receiving care for people and planet in green spaces outside of institutional international protection accommodation, particularly among those who have access to community gardens. This research contributes to understanding the multigenerational benefits of green space and the potential of forms of horticultural therapy to support the health and well-being of vulnerable forced migrants of all ages. This research has implications for how care for international protection applicants could be enhanced in Ireland and elsewhere through expanding access to safe and inclusive green spaces. It provides a model of a landscape of care support mitigation of pre- and post-migration trauma and mental stress.

Keywords: migration; feminist ethics of care; mental stress; well-being; green space; horticultural therapy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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