BLOOM: Blooming Mental Well-being and Social Inclusion through Outdoor Physical Activity

The main goal of the BLOOM project was to promote the mental well-being and social inclusion of older adults through outdoor physical activities designed to stimulate both body and mind. By using ...

The main goal of the BLOOM project was to promote the mental well-being and social inclusion of older adults through outdoor physical activities designed to stimulate both body and mind. By using movement as a tool for neurocognitive stimulation and community engagement, the project aimed to enhance emotional balance, resilience, and overall quality of life among seniors. BLOOM also sought to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, research, and good practices between Portugal and Slovenia and to co-create the BLOOM Programme — an educational model integrating mental well-being, neurocognitive stimulation, and social participation. Furthermore, the project intended to strengthen cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving, empowering seniors to manage stress, reduce anxiety, and stay active. Finally, BLOOM aspired to reduce loneliness and to foster intergenerational connection, creating inclusive communities where seniors feel valued and engaged.

The BLOOM project was implemented through a structured sequence of collaborative and educational activities in Portugal and Slovenia. It began with a preparatory phase focused on exchanging research, knowledge, and best practices between the two partner organisations on how outdoor physical activity can support mental well-being and inclusion. Based on this cooperation, the partners co-created the BLOOM Programme, a practical framework combining physical activity, neurocognitive stimulation, and social interaction. The programme was piloted with groups of older adults in both countries, involving regular outdoor sessions designed to promote cognitive, emotional, and physical health while fostering social engagement. Some of these sessions were open to the community, encouraging interaction across generations and strengthening social ties. A key highlight was the BLOOM 55+ Transnational Exchange held in Slovenia, which brought together seniors and educators from both countries to share experiences, participate in joint activities, and strengthen their European identity. Finally, two educator workshops ensured wider dissemination and future use of the BLOOM methodology.

The BLOOM project delivered concrete and lasting results. Its main achievement was the creation and testing of the BLOOM Programme, an innovative approach combining outdoor physical activity, neurocognitive stimulation, and social inclusion for older adults. To support educators, three key resources were produced: the BLOOM Initial Research Report, summarising evidence and best practices on mental well-being and inclusion (available in English); the BLOOM Educator Guidelines, a complete toolkit with step-by-step instructions and adaptable activities (available in English, Portuguese, and Slovenian); and the BLOOM Ambassadors Guidelines, empowering seniors to lead community actions and sustain the project’s impact (available in English, Portuguese, and Slovenian). All materials are freely available for download on the BLOOM website. In total, 59 seniors took part in local sessions, 20 joined the BLOOM 55+ Transnational Exchange in Slovenia, 172 participants attended community events, and 33 adult educators participated in national workshops. The quality and adaptability of these outputs ensure that the BLOOM approach can be replicated in other communities, promoting active ageing and lifelong well-being across Europe.