Nature Prescriptions for North Yorkshire
We are proudly delivering North Yorkshire’s first Nature Prescription.
Harnessing the healing power of nature to boost health and wellbeing, GPs and social prescribers are now prescribing our localised nature prescriptions to patients across the county.
This is a positive, proactive, and cost-effective approach to lifting the health of people and nature.
The North York Moors Trust, North York Moors National Park Authority and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have teamed together to bring RSPB Nature Prescriptions to the region as part of an innovative new project, delivered collaboratively with health professionals.
Together with health professionals we have developed a calendar featuring local and accessible activities that will unlock senses and help improve mental and physical health and wellbeing.
As part of the project we are providing free training to GPs and social prescribers on how to support and guide a patient through the nature prescription and the associated health benefits nature provides.
The project is one of 13 initiatives being funded in by Beyondly, a Skipton-based B Corp certified environmental consultancy and compliance scheme, through their Fund for Change scheme.
Appreciating birdsong, noticing the changing colours of the seasons and taking scent walks are just some of the activities that will be prescribed by health professionals to boost mental and physical health and wellbeing across North Yorkshire.
Connecting with nature is a proven way to improve your health and wellbeing. Nature unlocks hardwired human instincts, helping us to feel more calm and less nervous, to spark joy, creativity and happiness, and to aid confidence, communication, and concentration.
We have developed activities that can be done anywhere from your back yard to a national park and independently or with friends or family.
The nature prescriptions will also encourage patients to connect with the outdoors and natural landscapes in either of North Yorkshire’s two national parks, both renowned for their beauty, tranquillity, and sensory contrasts that are proven to lift and improve health and wellbeing.
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A nature prescription is a form of green social prescribing, spearheaded by RSPB.
We have created a localised nature prescription calendar, bursting with activities you people can undertake to unlock all the sensory benefits nature has to offer, from your back yard to a national park.
The calendar is prescribed by GPs and social prescribes to their patient. As part of the treatment plan patients are encouraged and supported to connect with the natural world to benefit their mental and physical wellbeing, as well as nurturing lasting connections with nature that inspire a desire to protect it.
This is a a free, accessible and non-medical approach that people can do from anywhere, on their own, or with others.
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Partners joined forces with GPs and social prescribers to create bespoke localised nature prescriptions.
We used our collective expertise and knowledge to form activities that can be done a back step through to aspirational visits to North Yorkshire's two national parks with their inherent beauty and therapeutic qualities.
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You can only be referred for a Nature Prescription by your GP or social prescriber as part of your treatment plan.
You should ask your GP or social prescriber, it may already be the case that they have undertaken our training and can prescribe our nature prescription.
If not, tell them it is something you are interested in. We can provide them with free training, advice and nature prescription calendars.
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We are working in several primary care networks, but we are keen to expand the reach across the county.
We provide free training to GPs and social prescribers and all necessary materials.
If you would like further information or to register your interest in taking part, please email enquiries@northyorkmoorstrust.uk
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There is now a wealth of evidence highlighting the stronger a person’s connection with nature the better their mental health and wellbeing, the calmer and less anxious they feel, and the more equipped they are to build and maintain strong relationships.
RSPB ran a successful pilot with NHS Scotland, where three in four patients (74%) said their mental health and wellbeing had benefited from the prescription and 87% of people said they would continue to have a meaningful connection with nature, such as gardening or visiting beaches or local national parks more regularly.
Nature prescriptions and green social prescribing projects have sprung up across the UK in recent years and are continually providing a source of evidence as to nature's impact to health and wellbeing.
