Under Open Sky Ltd was founded in 2021 by Great Yarmouth-based Community Artist & Wild Beach Leader Genevieve Rudd. She had been working creatively with communities for over a decade and set out to establish an organisation in her hometown that celebrated our greatest natural asset – the coast.
When we think about natural environments, green spaces such as parks and forests often come to mind, but we’re also blessed with so much blue space too, especially here in East Anglia. ‘Blue space’ is defined as an “outdoor environment – natural or manmade – that prominently features water and is accessible to people”, such as seas, canals, rivers and lakes.
The work of Under Open Sky is joyful, and uplifting and nurtures nature-connection, whilst simultaneously recognising the challenges facing this environment. Norfolk has the fastest eroding coastline in Europe, and the impacts of the climate and ecological crisis are affecting coastal communities particularly. The issues affecting seas and oceans – such as pollution and biodiversity loss – are reducing their ability to nurture human health too. By taking time to connect with the sea through arts and science activities, it supports us to make better choices for all species in the coastal ecosystem, including ourselves. What’s good for the planet is good for us!
Thalassotherapy – from the Greek word meaning ‘sea’ – is the practice of using the sea therapeutically, dating back to Roman times. In the Georgian and Victorian times in Europe and the UK, people spent more time by the sea for leisure, as well as sea bathing was recommended by doctors to treat a range of physical and mental illnesses.
In 2021, the Environment Agency analysed data from 77 studies into ‘blue space engagement’. They found that people who use blue spaces say they feel happier when they are close to them. They also found that proximity to the coast provides more opportunity for “restorative experiences and reduces the amount of ‘noise’ in people’s minds – more so than exposure to green spaces”, such as parks or forests.
The BlueHealth EU Horizon 2020 programme found that exposure to outdoor blue spaces is a positive indicator of good mental health and well-being, as well as encouraging exercise. In particular, living close to the sea has been linked to better mental health in England’s poorest urban communities.