Green social prescribing in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire – findings from the Healthier with Nature programme
As one of many events held to acknowledge World Mental Health Day, the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol’s Centre for Public Health and Wellbeing hosted a networking event entitled 'Nature-Based Social Prescribing: Translating Evidence into Impact'. Shaheen and Rowena from RGWN attended the event, and were interested to hear about the activities and evaluation of the green social prescribing programme for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, Healthier with Nature . This is one of seven “test and learn” sites for green social prescribing in England, initiated in 2021.
As Helen Wood of the West of England Nature Partnership explained, this programme has funded over 90 projects across the region, reaching approximately 5000 people. A printed directory lists all the nature-based activities and services in the region, providing a brief summary of the activity or service and contact detail for further information. The voluntary sector is heavily involved in delivering these projects. While many of the beneficiaries have a mild level of difficulties, Helen explained that these projects are also supporting people requiring a higher level of support.
A key finding from the evaluation of the Healthier with Nature project has been the need for what Jon Fieldhouse (University of the West of England) described as a “warm transfer” to help people referred to activities within the programme to actually attend a session. In their evaluation of the project, researchers found that having a link worker (nature buddy) go with the beneficiary for the first session was particularly helpful. Having taster sessions and three-way meetings between the beneficiary, social prescriber and the session lead also helped with getting the beneficiary to try the activity. He also said that activities need to be responsive to the individual and culturally aware.
Representatives from three community groups described the very different activities they provide as part of the Healthier with Nature programme.
Heather Peet from Redcatch Community Garden described how they have grown from a small pilot project set up in 2022 to a thriving organisation with 25 employees and 40 volunteers providing gardening sessions 7-days a week. Beneficiaries often progress from attending sessions to being able to help with the project, e.g. through serving in the café and supporting others attending sessions. In addition, the community garden offers bespoke programmes to schools and the whole community benefits from the visibility of the project, providing a sense of purpose and belonging to many. Above all, they pride themselves in the fact that individuals don’t just attend, but feel part of the project.
Michael Earle described how he and his colleagues at Nilaari are using Nordic walking to facilitate talking therapies. By inviting beneficiaries to come outdoors and walk, therapists encourage the individual or group to focus on the activity, not the problem. Beneficiaries see they can do something new and find a different way to engage with life.
Mohamed Sayaqle of Bristol Somali Youth Voice described how this organisation is working with young people and families from the Somali community, through providing outdoor activities in local parks. These activities are creating spaces for ethnic minorities to feel safe and enjoy being outdoors, and to develop community connections and a sense of empowerment. The organisation also seeks to increase awareness of local services.
While further work is required to establish how to formally assess the benefits of green social prescribing, individuals’ stories clearly illustrate the positive impact of the projects on individuals and within communities. Significantly, assessing these activities focuses on wellbeing rather than illness, “what matters to you” rather than “what is the matter”.