Transforming wellbeing in communities through nature engagement
Reading Green Wellbeing Network
Welcome to the Reading Green Wellbeing Network. We represent organisations in the Greater Reading Area that promote wellbeing and community cohesion through engagement with nature. We are transforming wellbeing in our communities and nurturing a love of nature across all ages.
The case for green wellbeing
Engagement with nature-based activities undeniably improves mental and physical wellbeing. Regularly connecting with nature can decrease anxiety and depression by up to 30% while improving resilience. Indeed, therapeutic gardening programmes have demonstrated better rates of sustained recovery than many conventional approaches. Furthermore, nature-based activities build community cohesion and reduce the social and economic cost of loneliness.
What we do
Our small team of volunteers and our member organisations seek to promote nature engagement in the Greater Reading Area. We hold monthly meetings for members to build collaboration, celebrate successes and discuss challenges. We network with local government, mental health organisations and businesses, to champion green engagement as an essential, cost-effective component of public health strategy. Through our website, leaflets and bi-monthly newsletter, we are a definitive resource for finding nature-based wellbeing activities in the Greater Reading Area.
Our newsletter highlights key initiatives and research findings that demonstrate the benefits of nature engagement and publicises upcoming and ongoing activities of member organisations.
Our members and their sessions
Our members provide a range of nature-based activities, including therapeutic gardening sessions, social gardening sessions and other nature-engagement activities. They run regular organised sessions at sites across the Greater Reading Area.
Get involved
Whether you are an organisation that promotes green engagement, a healthcare professional interested in green social prescribing or a business that would like to support our work, there are many reasons to get involved with the green initiatives unfolding in Berkshire.
