Understanding Nature’s Role in Alleviating Loneliness: A Photovoice Inquiry into a Nature-Based Social Prescribing Programme – The Barcelona-RECETAS Case Study

This thesis, developed within the RECETAS research project, explores participants’ lived experiences of nature-based social prescribing (NBSP) through the Barcelona-RECETAS initiative. Using a photovoice methodology in three neighborhoods—El Carmel, Trinitat Nova, and Sagrada Família—it examines how interactions with natural environments relate to experiences of loneliness and the formation of social connections. The study adopts a multi-modal qualitative approach, incorporating visual and verbal data to better understand how NBSP interventions impact emotional well-being. It also identifies key factors that support or limit the effectiveness of such programmes. Ultimately, the research aims to strengthen the evidence base for NBSP as a tool for addressing loneliness in urban settings and to inform the design of future interventions.