Ian Hulatt: Everyone needs the health benefits of being outdoors

Care homes and services for people with mental health problems should act on evidence that access to outdoor spaces can improve mood

A study by researchers at the University of Warwick has shown that for many older people in care homes it takes a great effort to get outdoors. This isn’t due to a lack of will but rather the environment they are living in and the restrictions placed on them, which range from needing permission to go outside to inadequate seating in gardens.

I think we all value the opportunity to feel the warmth of the sun on our faces and smell the fresh earth after rain. It can make us feel better in ourselves and lift our spirits. We also now know that contact with the sun’s rays can be not