Enjoying the Outdoors: Monitoring the impact of distancing · Presentation of results 56 Degree Insight for ... travel to be undertaken, limits on outdoor visits and time to only

Tuesday, 8 October 2019

A Research Proposal to

from 56 Degree Insight Ltd

1st July 2020

Enjoying the Outdoors:Monitoring the impact of Coronavirus and social distancing

Presentation of results

56 Degree Insight for Scottish Natural Heritage

SNH Coronavirus and Lockdown Impact Survey – Presentation of Results 2

Introduction

• Scotland entered the first stage of lockdown from 23rd March to 28th May 2020 with measures put in place to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

• A stay at home message was central with only essential travel to be undertaken, limits on outdoor visits and time to only be spent with household members.

• This survey was designed to provide an understanding of how the Scottish population behaved and felt during and immediately after the initial lockdown period from 23rd

March to 28th May.

2

3SNH Coronavirus and Lockdown Impact Survey – Presentation of Results

Survey objectives

A survey of the population to provide an accurate measure of how things have changed during lockdown and what we may expect in the future…

How did behaviour change during lockdown?• How often were visits taken to the

outdoors?• Who were visit takers?• What were the details of visits?

(places, activities, distance travelled).

How did attitudes to the outdoors change during lockdown?• What motivated people to spend

time outdoors?• What benefits did people feel that

they are obtaining?• What are perceptions/experiences

of local areas?• Does having access to a garden

change attitudes?

What longer term changes might we see as we move from lockdown?• Do people expect to continue to

use their local greenspaces in a different way when lockdown rules are eased?

• Do people expect to continue to engage differently with nature when lockdown rules are eased?

• How can SNH and partners help people to change their behaviours in the ways they want to?

How did engagement with nature change during lockdown?• To what extent did people noticing

everyday nature?• In what situations did they notice

nature (e.g. through a window, in garden or in a local greenspace).

• Who was noticing nature most?• How did engagement with nature

benefit people?


Survey approach

4

• 1,008 online interviews were conducted betweenFriday 29th May and Friday 5th June.

• Demographic quotas based on gender, age, socialclass and region of residence to provide anationally representative sample (aged 16+).

• Data collection delivered in partnership withconsumer panel provider Dynata.

• Data weighted to further improve representativity.




Participation in outdoor recreation during lockdown


Levels of participation were polarised with a third of the population visiting the outdoors daily while a fifth avoided taking any visits

19%

10%

12%

25%

34%

Never

Less often

Once a week

Several times aweek

Every day

71% at least oncea week

SPANS May 2019

SPANS March 2020

(pre lockdown)

22% 22%

22% 21%

16% 16%

26% 24%

14% 17%

59% at least oncea week

Frequency of visits to the outdoors for leisure, recreation or

exercise during lockdown (23rd March to 28th May 2020)


Participation was highest amongst men, younger age groups, residents of least deprived areas, higher social grades and those with good health

39%29% 34% 33% 34% 33%

42%

24%38%

29%45%

29%45%

35%27%

37%

37%42% 40% 33%

24%

37%

35%

38%

37%

34%

38%

36%41%

33%

9%12%

11% 11%9%

13%

4%

19%

8%13%

6%12%

6% 10%

13%

16% 21%13% 16%

24% 30%17% 23% 17% 21% 16% 20%

13% 14%28%

Male Female 16-34 35-54 55-69 70+ 10%Least

Deprived

10%Most

Deprived

ABC1 C2DE Yes No Verygood

Good Fair, Bador Very

Bad

Every day Once/several times a week Less often Never

Gender Age SIMD Dog in home General Health

Frequency of visits to the outdoors for leisure, recreation or exercise during lockdown (23 rd March to 28th May 2020) by population group

Socio-economic


Most people changed the amount of time they spent outdoors during lockdown

29%

14%

22% 21%

15%

Decreased a lot duringlockdown

Decreased a little duringlockdown

No change during lockdown Increased a little duringlockdown

Increased a lot duringlockdown

Amount of time spent outdoors for leisure, recreation or exercise during the initial lockdown period compared to a year ago

Overall 43% decreased time outside but greater decreases amongst:

• People with poor or very poor health (52%)• People aged 70+ (46%)

Overall 36% increased time outside but greater increases amongst:

• People with very good health (51%)• People aged 16 to 34 (42%)

• Women (40%)

Note: the question measured cumulative time spent outdoors during lockdown compared to the same

time a year ago. This could be impacted on by both the frequency and average duration of visits taken.


58%

6%

5%

5%

3%

2%

2%

Adhering to lockdown/ rules/ nervous to go outdoors

Nowhere else to go/ cannot do normal leisure

Not been able to spend time with friends/family/socialising

Couldn't go normal sports/outdoor pursuits/ go to gym

Avoiding people/other people not social distancing

Nowhere local to go

Unable to travel

While adhering to lockdown was the main reason for decreasing time outside, for others increased free time allowed more time outside

24%

12%

11%

9%

6%

4%

4%

4%

3%

2%

2%

2%

2%

More free time (e.g. furloughed/ not at university)

Good weather

Something to do/ bored/ to fill time

Time is more flexible e.g. working from home, kids off school

To stay fit/healthy/exercise

Couldn't go normal sports/outdoor pursuits/ go to gym

A way to relax/unwind/gain mental health benefits

Adhering to lockdown/ rules/ nervous to go outdoors

Nowhere else to go/ cannot do normal leisure

More dog walking/ longer dog walks

Getting fresh air

Opportunity to take kids out/ spend time with family

Trying to get out every day/ follow advice to exercise daily

REASONS FOR INCREASING TIME OUTDOORS DURING LOCKDOWN

REASONS FOR DECREASING TIME OUTDOORS DURING LOCKDOWN

Reasons for changing amount of time spent outdoors during the initial lockdown period (23rd March to 28th May 2020)


Following the rules…

“I am shielded due to underlying health issues.”

“Was only allowed out once a day. I would normally be out multiple times a day.”

Fearful

“I'm very anxious about being around other people.”

“I felt safer staying at home.”

More time

“I am not going to work so more time to spend outdoors.”

“More time to do these things because school is not open.” Good weather

“Because the weather was hot and sunny and I wanted to be outside”

“Weather was good, nothing else to do.”Something to do

“Fewer other options to distract.”

“To relieve the boredom of being indoors.”

REASONS FOR INCREASING TIME OUTDOORS DURING LOCKDOWN

REASONS FOR DECREASING TIME OUTDOORS DURING LOCKDOWN

Reasons for changing amount of time spent outdoors during the initial lockdown period (23rd March to 28th May 2020)

While adhering to lockdown was the main reason for decreasing time outside, for others increased free time allowed more time outside


Participating in shorter distance walks was by far the most frequently undertaken activity

57%

46%

18%

14%

12%

12%

8%

8%

6%

6%

3%

Walking <2 miles

Walking 2-8 miles

Running\jogging

Cycling on paths/ tracks

Cycling on public roads

Playing with children

Walking 8 miles+

Other wildlife\nature watching

Birdwatching

Cycling off paths, tracks or roads

Hillwalking\mountaineering

SPANS 2019/20During

lockdownMay 2019

March 2020

Any Walking 89% 77% 84%

- Walking < 2 miles 57% 34% 35%

- Walking 2-8 miles 46% 40% 43%

- Walking more than 8 miles 8% 4% 4%

- Hillwalking 3% 3% 3%

Any Cycling 22% 8% 4%

Running/ jogging 18% 5% 4%

Activities undertaken outdoors for leisure, recreation or exercise during initial lockdown period (23rd

March to 28th May 2020)


Compared to a year ago, participation in wildlife watching, short walks, running and cycling on paths increased most

14%

14%

24%

21%

27%

25%

28%

31%

25%

32%

38%

52%

54%

40%

48%

37%

45%

48%

41%

54%

50%

48%

35%

32%

36%

30%

36%

30%

24%

28%

21%

19%

14%

Other wildlife\nature watching

Birdwatching

Walking - less than 2 miles

Running\jogging

Walking 2-8 miles

Cycling - on paths and tracks

Cycling - on public roads

Playing outdoors with children

Cycling - not on paths and tracks or roads

Walking - more than 8 miles

Hillwalking\mountaineering

Decreased No change Increased NET CHANGE

+21%

+18%

+11%

+9%

+9%

+5%

-3%

-4%

-4%

-13%

-24%

Outdoor activities undertaken during the initial lockdown period compared to a year ago by population group


Close to home places including roadside pavements, local parks and paths and tracks were the most visited locations

Places visited during outdoor visits taken in the initial lockdown period compared to a year ago by population group

44%

42%

37%

22%

16%

13%

11%

9%

8%

8%

7%

7%

6%

3%

3%

Roadside/ street pavements

Local Park or open space

Paths/tracks which are away from the roadside

Woodland\forest

River

Village

Beach

Canal

Wildlife area/nature reserve

Farmland

Mountain\hill

Sea\Sea loch

Loch

Moorland

Cliff

During lockdown

SPANSMay 2019

Normally only walked/cycled 73%34%

Less than 2 miles 9%

2-5 miles 11% 25%

6-10 miles 5% 14%

11-20 miles 1% 7%

More than 20 miles 1% 20%

Forms of transport used/distance travelled during visits to outdoors taken for leisure, recreation or exercise during initial lockdown period (23rd March to 28th May 2020)


28%

29%

29%

33%

28%

35%

36%

33%

32%

38%

37%

41%

43%

40%

47%

40%

39%

40%

35%

54%

44%

44%

50%

53%

43%

48%

45%

42%

49%

40%

32%

32%

31%

33%

18%

21%

20%

17%

15%

19%

15%

14%

15%

11%

14%

Roadside/ street pavements

Paths/tracks which are away from the roadside

Woodland\forest

Local Park or open space

Farmland

River

Canal

Village

Moorland

Wildlife area/nature reserve

Mountain\hill

Loch

Sea\Sea loch

Cliff

Beach

Decreased No change IncreasedNET CHANGE

+4%+3%+2%0%

-10%-14%-16%-16%-16%-19%-22%-27%-28%-29%-33%

Places visited during outdoor visits taken in the initial lockdown period compared to a year ago by population group

Compared to a year ago, visits to roadside pavements, paths and tracks and woodland increased overall




Other engagement with nature during lockdown


7 in 10 adults living in Scotland have access to a private garden

Access to private garden, 71%

Access to private communal garden,

14%

Access to other private outdoor

space (e.g. balcony, yard,

patio), 6%

No private garden or other outdoor

space, 9%

Access to a private garden or other private outdoor space

Overall 71% of Scottish adults have access to a private garden but this is lower amongst:

• People with no access to a car – 44%• People living in the 10% most deprived areas –

50%• People living in large urban areas – 58%• People aged under 45 – 62%


During lockdown, the majority of the population engaged with nature while at home in their garden or from indoors

62%

42%

36%

36%

30%

13%

Sitting or relaxing in a garden or other outdoor

space attached to my home

Gardening, sowing seeds, growing flowers or

vegetables

Enjoying nature or wildlife in a garden or other

outdoor space attached to my home

Enjoying nature or wildlife while outdoors in my local

area (e.g. noticing the changing seasons, trees

coming into leaf, birds and other wildlife)

Enjoying nature or wildlife from indoors (e.g.

through a window)

None of these

Engagement with nature during initial lockdown period (23rd March to 28th May 2020)

Higher amongst:

Women (66% v 57% men)

Over 55s (56%), 10% least

deprived areas (56%)

Over 55s (44%)

ABC1s (41%)

Remote rural residents (54%)


Levels of engagement were also relatively high amongst those who visited the outdoors infrequently or never

63%

45%

40%

44%

29%

7%

54%

25%

19%

21%

24%

22%

61%

41%

35%

17%

31%

25%

Sitting or relaxing in a garden or other outdoor space

attached to my home

Gardening, sowing seeds, growing flowers or vegetables

Enjoying nature or wildlife in a garden or other outdoor

space attached to my home

Enjoying nature or wildlife while outdoors in my local area

(e.g. noticing the changing seasons, trees coming into leaf,

birds and other wildlife)

Enjoying nature or wildlife from indoors (e.g. through a

window)

None of these

Visited at least once a week

Visited less often

Never visited

Engagement with nature during initial lockdown period (23rd March to 28th May 2020)


Participation in all of the activities included increased overall, especially time at home in the garden

Engagement with nature during the initial lockdown period compared to a year ago

10%

9%

10%

8%

22%

36%

47%

46%

50%

43%

54%

44%

44%

42%

36%

Sat/relaxed in garden or other outdoor space

attached to home

Gardening, sowing seeds, growing flowers,

vegetables

Enjoyed nature or wildlife in a garden or other

outdoor space attached to home

Enjoyed nature or wildlife from indoors

Enjoyed nature or wildlife while outdoors in

the local area

Decreased No change Increased NET CHANGE

+44%

+35%

+35%

+34%

+14%




Benefits of outdoor recreation and nature during lockdown


70% - Health/ exercise

54% - Enjoy fresh air/ pleasant weather

46% - Relax/ unwind

38% - Manage stress/improve mental wellbeing

32% - Peace/ quiet

26% - Enjoy scenery/ wildlife

19% - Exercise a dog

While pleasant weather was a factor, a higher proportion took visits to the outdoors to obtain health and wellbeing benefits

Motivations for visiting the outdoors for leisure, recreation or exercise during the initial lockdown period (23rd March to 28th May 2020)

Higher amongst:

Over 55s, residents of 10% least deprived areas, people with no dog in home.

Over 55s, people with no dog in home.

ABC1s

Women, ABC1s

People with no children, residents of North of Scotland

Dog in home


44% 44%38% 34%

19%14%

14%13%

It helped me to de-stress, relaxand unwind

It made me feel energised andrevitalised

I felt closer to nature It improved my physical health(through exercise and physical

activity)

Agree slightly Agree strongly

The majority of people who took outdoor visits or engaged with nature in other ways gained health and wellbeing benefits and felt closer to nature

Benefits of time outdoors and other engagement with nature during lockdown (agree slightly + agree strongly responses)

63%58%

52%47%


Most of the population noticed reduced noise and pollution and more wildlife during lockdown

General experiences of lockdown (agree slightly + agree strongly)

42%36%

45%35%

28% 26%

31%

25%15%

14%

14% 16%

I've noticed areduction in noise

levels

I've noticed areduction in pollution

in my local area

I have noticed morewildlife and nature

than I usually do

Nature has becomemore important to myhealth and wellbeing

I've become morefamiliar with my local

greenspaces

I've enjoyed not usingmy car so much

Agree slightly Agree strongly73%

61%

49%42%

60%

42%




Problems experienced during lockdown


The most commonly experienced issues when taking outdoor visits were issues with other people and difficulties maintaining social distancing

Problems experienced while visiting the outdoors for leisure, recreation or exercise during the initial lockdown period (23 rd March to 28th May 2020)

39% 39%37%

30%

25%22% 21% 21% 20%

11%

18%

13%

20%

12%

7% 6% 6%

11%9%

4%

Other peoplebehaving

inconsideratelyor

irresponsibly

Cyclists on thepavement

Problemsmaintaining

socialdistancing

while outside

Concernsabout infection

(e.g. fromtouchinggates)

Cars parked onpavements

Overgrownpath

Increasedtraffic speedson local roads

Safetyconcerns

Finding thatyou can'taccess the

outdoor placesyou usually

visit

A lack of goodquality

greenspaces tovisit in yourlocal area

Experienced Changed where I went


Only a third of the population strongly agree that their local greenspaces are easy to walk to and of a high enough standard

34%41%

14%7%

2%

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

My local greenspaces (e.g. parks, woods, paths and tracks) are within easy walking distanceand of a high enough standard for me to want to spend time there

Higher amongst: People with ‘very good’ health 10% most deprived area residentsPeople with ‘fair’, ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ health

People with a limiting illness or disability

Daily visitors to outdoors during lockdown

People who visited outdoors infrequently or never during lockdown




Looking to the future


Around half of the population expect to take more visits to the outdoors after lockdown than before the crisis

3%6%

38%

31%

18%

A lot less than beforelockdown

A little less than beforelockdown

About the same as beforelockdown

A little more than beforelockdown

A lot more than beforelockdown

Higher amongst:• Those aged under 35 (57%)• People with children (54%)

• Dog in home(53%)• Women (52%)

Higher amongst:• Residents of 10% most deprived areas (13%)

Higher amongst:• Men (44%)

• Aged 70 and over (54%)

• Spent more time outdoors during lockdown (63%)• No change in time outdoors during

lockdown (65%)Extent expect the amount visit the outdoors for leisure, recreation or exercise will change after lockdown


There is interest in continuing behaviours which started during lockdown – spending time outdoors, reducing non essential journeys and making more of local greenspaces

41% 43% 45%39% 37%

27% 20% 17%19%

12%

I will encourage my childrento spend more time outdoors

I will continue to travel lessfor non essential journeys

I will make more use of mylocal greenspace

I will try to cycle more ratherthan using the car

I would like to do more tohelp look after local nature

and wildlife

Agree slightly Agree strongly68%

62%58%

63%

49%




Summary


Summary

31

• Visits to the outdoors during lockdown

Levels of participation were polarised with a third taking daily visits while 19% did not take any.

Changes in participation were also extremely varied with 35% spending more time outdoors than normal while 43% decreased time.

Women, younger age groups, families and people in good health were most likely to spend more time outdoors due to free time and good weather.

People aged 70+ and those with poorer health were the most likely to spend less time outdoors given a desire to follow the lockdown rules.

Those who spent more time outside were particularly likely to increase participation in short walks, running and cycling on local paths, tracks, parks and woodland.

A large percentage of the population also enjoyed nature in their garden or from home with participation increasing for much of the population.


Summary

32

• Benefits

Many benefits from outdoor visits and nature were reported.

2 in 3 participants felt mental health benefits (de-stressed, relaxed,energised, revitalised) and half felt closer to nature and/or that that theexperience improved their physical health.

Many also noticed positive aspects in their area during lockdown –including reduced noise levels, a reduction in pollution and more wildlife and nature than normal (73%, 61% and 60% respectively).

• Issues experienced

When spending time outside the most commonly experienced issues were seeing other people behaving inconsiderately or irresponsibly & difficulties maintaining social distancing.

• Looking to the future

Around half of the population expect that the amount they visit outdoors will be greater after lockdown.

Groups most likely to state that they expect to visit the outdoors more included women, those aged under 35 and families.

After lockdown, 3 in 5 would like to encourage their children to spend more time outdoors, continue to travel less for essential journeys and make more of local greenspace.

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Documents

Enjoying the Outdoors: Monitoring the impact of distancing · Presentation of results 56 Degree Insight for ... travel to be undertaken, limits on outdoor visits and time to only