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A £5.77 million cross-governmental funded project has shown that expanding access to Green Social Prescribing can promote wellbeing and improve mental health.

Green Social Prescribing, or supporting people to engage in nature-based activities, can promote wellbeing and improve mental health, a £5.77 million cross-government funded project has shown.

Research led by the University of 91ֱ�� - in partnership with 91ֱ�� Hallam University, University of Exeter and University of Plymouth - has today (Wednesday 4 September 2024) been published in a for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), on their findings into efforts to increase access to Green Social Prescribing, and its effectiveness in tackling and preventing mental ill health.

Green Social Prescribing is the practice of supporting people with mental health needs to engage in nature-based activities. Referrals will typically come from GPs, community mental health teams, or social workers, but people can also self-refer. Social Prescribing Link Workers, and other trusted professionals, then connect people to community groups and agencies for practical and emotional support.

There are many different types of nature-based activities and therapies, including conservation, horticulture and gardening, care farming, exercise and sports, or talking therapies outdoors.

Dr Annette Haywood, Principal Investigator and Head of Public Health Section at the University of 91ֱ��’s School of Medicine and Population Health, said: “Nature is a great medicine and our research demonstrates that harnessing the power of nature through Green Social Prescribing is not only beneficial for mental and physical health, but also a cost-effective tool. 91ֱ��, is known fondly as the outdoor city, and it was incredibly rewarding to lead this collaboration in a city as committed to green spaces and wellbeing as 91ֱ��.” 

Professor Chris Dayson, from the Centre for Regional, Economic and Social Research at 91ֱ�� Hallam University, said: “Our findings demonstrate how Green Social Prescribing can support people with their mental health. Most nature-based activities are provided by small locally based voluntary organisations and community groups and this study highlights how concerns about their sustainability present a barrier to further progress”.  

If Green Social Prescribing is to continue to be successful, further investment is now required by the health system to support these organisations, their staff and volunteers to grow and develop.” 

In total, 8,339 people with mental health needs took part in nature-based activities at seven Green Social Prescribing Project ‘Test and Learn’ pilots across England. Compared to many other social prescribing initiatives the project reached a broader range of people, including children and young people aged under 18, ethnic minority populations (21 percent), and people from socio-economically deprived areas (57 percent).

Prior to accessing nature-based activities participants’ happiness, anxiety, life satisfaction, and feeling that their life was worthwhile was worse than the national average. After taking part in the project, wellbeing had improved, and typically happiness and anxiety was in line with the national average. Levels of life satisfaction and feeling that life was worthwhile had also improved significantly.

Participants in Green Social Prescribing said:

“After the group I feel joyful, happy, calm. I have a sense of achievement and I feel my wellbeing is increasing. I look forward to attending.”

“It works better than medication for me. It works better than CBT for me. Most of my stuff is related to trauma, so NICE guidelines don't recommend medication for borderline personality disorder. I have my counselling and that is really valuable, but this is on a par with that.”

With an average cost of £507 per participant, researchers also found Green Social Prescribing to be a cost-effective method of supporting people across a wide spectrum of mental health needs. That’s when compared to other interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), behavioural activation, and early intervention for psychosis and collaborative care for depression.

Rebecca Mawson, a GP in 91ֱ��, said: “At last, a study that gives us the confidence to talk to patients about the power of the natural world in healing both mental and physical illness. In a time when many are retreating into the world of online communities, we can help them move back to a place of connecting with nature and grounding within a physical community. This is needed most by those living in underserved populations with less ability to mobilise the necessary assets to access green spaces; Green Social Prescribing has the potential to impact these communities significantly.”  

Funding for the project was provided by HM Treasury’s Shared Outcomes Fund and various central government departments and external agencies. Partners included: Department of Health & Social Care, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Natural England, NHS England, NHS Improvement,, Sport England, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities and the National Academy for Social Prescribing.

Minister for Access, Baroness Hayman said: “Nature makes a real difference to the quality of our lives; spending time in green and blue spaces relaxes and inspires us, improving both our physical and mental health.

“This government is committed to finding ways to help more people experience the benefits of nature. We will create nine new National River walks and plant three new National Forests, while considering ways to build on the green social prescribing programme to help more people improve their mental health through nature.”

To find out more, Dr Annette Haywood talks about the project on a recent episode of the 91ֱ�� Centre for Health and Related Research ‘SCHARR’ Communicable Research podcast. She discusses the project and the impact of Green Social Prescribing on mental and physical health. Listen to the episode on or .

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