Dose of nature to be prescribed to patients in North Yorkshire
Connecting with nature. © RSPB Images
Appreciating birdsong, listening to the trickle of a stream, and noticing the changing colours of the seasons will be prescribed by health professionals to boost mental health in first for North Yorkshire.
The North York Moors National Park Authority, North York Moors Trust 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.
A new calendar featuring local and accessible activities, which harness the healing power of nature, has been launched.
Health professionals and patients will become the first in North Yorkshire to use Nature Prescriptions from this month.
As part of the project, GPs and social prescribers will receive training on how to prescribe nature and guide patients through activities that can be done anywhere, 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.
The project has been developed as a response to tackling deteriorating mental health outcomes, rising numbers of people registered to access support services, and dwindling opportunity for people to spend time outdoors or connecting with nature.
The number of people in contact with mental health services in England rose by nearly 550,000 in the four years between March 2020 and March 2024, according to data released by NHS England.
The project draws inspiration from a successful RSPB pilot project 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.
The project aims to achieve similar positive outcomes across North Yorkshire.
There is a wealth of evidence highlighting the stronger a person’s connection and interaction 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.
The project is currently working with health professionals across five primary care networks in North Yorkshire. There is a series of free training opportunities for health professionals across the summer.
Health professionals in the region who would like to be involved or receive more information, should contact either the North York Moors National Park Authority or the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
James Metcalfe, Director of the North York Moors Trust, said:
“Nature Prescriptions is an aspirational approach to lifting the health and wellbeing of people and communities across North Yorkshire from the Moors to the Dales.
“Connecting people and nature is a positive, proactive, and cost-effective response to the worrying decline in the health of people and nature. It is our hope by bringing them together we can support both to thrive, from reducing stress and anxiety to encouraging independent action to protect and enhance nature and biodiversity.”
Heather McNiff, Head of Outdoor Learning and Engagement at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said:
“We are excited to have this opportunity to support people to engage with nature and the outdoors in new ways, from back gardens to the glorious landscapes of the North York Moors.
“Spending time in nature, with its inherent beauty and therapeutic qualities, can play a critical role in uplifting our physical and mental wellbeing, combating feelings of loneliness, and nurturing a sense of connection.”
Dr Isobel Austin, a Doctor at the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust taking part in the North Yorkshire project, said:
“Nature Prescriptions has huge potential to benefit patient outcomes, communities and our environment. I am very excited to see how this work benefits my patients.”
Sarah Walker, Nature and Wellbeing Manager at RSPB England, said:
“Nature should be a big part of our lives and an important part of health and social care. Many of us have an instinct that nature does us good, but we do not always embrace that and don’t always know how best to do that. RSPB Nature Prescriptions are designed to help us improve our wellbeing by bringing nature into our lives in small, simple, everyday ways. It could be taking a moment to listen to birdsong or watching a summer sunset.
“It’s fantastic to be working with the National Parks and healthcare professionals to bring RSPB Nature Prescriptions, which we already know make a huge impact on people’s lives, to North Yorkshire to improve wellbeing through a stronger nature connection.”
Ends.
Coverage:
Natural prescriptions to tackle mental health in North Yorkshire - Northern Echo - 12/06/2024