Nature Prescriptions: Harnessing the healing power of nature in the North York Moors
Connecting with nature can come in many forms, sometimes simply taking time to appreciate the small and wonderful things around us can be as beneficial for boosting our mental health and wellbeing as the reaching the highest summit around. © James Metcalfe
Appreciating birdsong, listening to the trickle of a stream, noticing the changing colours of the seasons – a transformative project will harness the healing power of nature and the tranquillity of the North York Moors National Park to boost the mental wellbeing of residents across North Yorkshire.
The North York Moors Trust and North York Moors National Park Authority have joined forces with the RSPB to develop a localised Nature Prescription, which will be delivered collaboratively with local healthcare professionals. The aim is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of patients by connecting them with nature through free and accessible activities.
This project has been developed by the North York Moors Trust and North York Moors National Park Authority as a positive response to worsening health outcomes and dwindling opportunity for people to spend time outdoors or engage in nature-based activities.
The project builds on the success of similar Nature Prescription pilot projects delivered by the RSPB in 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 local parks or beaches more regularly.
More widely there is a wealth of evidence to show the stronger your connection with nature the greater your physical and mental health and wellbeing, the calmer and less anxious you feel, and the more equipped you are to build and maintain strong relationships.
RSPB Nature Prescriptions suggest free and accessible activities for people to strengthen their connection with nature, activities which can be done from home, on their own or with others, in rural or urban settings, following a guided conversation between a healthcare professional and their patient.
Through the project, staff from the RSPB and the North York Moors National Park will train healthcare professionals to have conversations with their patients about the importance of connecting with nature and co-create a seasonal calendar of local nature-based activity suggestions for patients.
Local healthcare professionals will become the first in North Yorkshire to use the RSPB Nature Prescriptions.
The project will encourage patients to also connect with the North York Moors National Park which is renowned for its beauty and tranquillity, a landscape of breath-taking visual and sensory contrasts that lift and improve health and wellbeing - from the far-reaching heather moorlands to the tree-topped skylines, deep wooded dales, babbling becks, and rugged coastline.
The project commenced in November, with the first nature activities to be prescribed from Spring 2024. The North York Moors Trust, North York Moors National Park Authority, and RSPB will release the impact of the project in 2025.
The project is one of 13 initiatives being funded in 2023 by Beyondly, a Skipton-based B Corp certified environmental consultancy and compliance scheme, through their Fund for Change. Beyondly commit 5% of their net profit to charitable projects which make a positive impact across Yorkshire and which address environmental, social and governance issues that are important to their aims, values, and stakeholders.
The project is an excellent example of the power of public, private and charitable sector organisations working together in partnership to positively address systemic health challenges and promote welcomed behavioural change.
RSPB are running a parallel project with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, making this a North Yorkshire-wide initiative using Nature Prescriptions to lift the health and wellbeing of people and communities from Whitby to Wensleydale.
James Metcalfe, Director of the North York Moors Trust, said:
“We are proud to be helping deliver an aspirational approach to lifting the health and wellbeing of people and communities in the North York Moors and surrounding areas such as Whitby and Scarborough.
Supporting nature connection is a positive, proactive, and cost-effective response to the declining health of people and nature by bringing them together and unlocking the reciprocal benefits of doing so, such as reducing stress and anxiety and 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:
“The National Park Authority is looking forward to supporting people in North Yorkshire to engage with nature and the outdoors in new ways and making these opportunities accessible, whether in the National Park or beyond.
We know that spending time in the natural environment, with its inherent beauty and therapeutic qualities, can play a critical role in our physical and mental health and help reduce feelings such as loneliness. Whether it's listening to birds through open windows, watching the murmuration’s of starlings, a five-minute stroll during a busy lunchbreak, noticing the different colours of Autumn leaves, or simply sitting by water, these experiences can contribute to an overall sense of positive wellbeing.”
Sarah Walker, Nature and Wellbeing Manager at RSPB England, said:
“RSPB Nature Prescriptions are a fantastic way for people to improve their wellbeing by strengthening their connection to nature. We’re excited to be working with colleagues in the North York Moors National Park Authority to co-design a new project which will enable local people to explore and benefit from nature right on their doorstep. Even in the darkest days of winter we can find joy in nature by listening to birdsong, finding frost sparkling in hedgerows, or watching a winter sunset. I’m really looking forward to sharing our ideas and bringing RSPB Nature Prescriptions to North Yorkshire.”
Lucy Boyes, Talent and Culture Co-ordinator at Beyondly, said:
“We understand the importance of health and wellbeing, and we have all seen the negative effects of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis on mental health in recent years. As a business, we’re committed to creating a better, more sustainable world for all and positively impact society and the environment.
As an employer, our wellbeing programme promotes and encourages healthy lifestyles and creates opportunities for employees to reap the benefits of getting out into nature, even in our office surroundings. Therefore, we’re delighted to be supporting The North York Moors Trust, North York Moors National Park Authority and RSPB in their Nature Prescription project.
The project will, we believe, provide much needed mutual benefit to both our surrounding environment and local communities and we are looking forward to seeing this positive impact in a region that’s just on our doorstep.”
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Coverage:
How to get your daily dose of well being on the North York Moors in RSPB collaboration - Yorkshire Post - 13/12/2023