Feel Good in the Forest is a social prescribing initiative from Forestry England and Sport England, designed to support people with mild to moderate health conditions through nature-based activities.
Synopsis
Feel Good in the Forest is a social prescribing initiative from Forestry England and Sport England, designed to support people with mild to moderate health conditions through nature-based activities. It helps local communities and individuals improve their wellbeing by engaging with nature and physical activity.
Forestry England has worked with healthcare professionals to offer experiential sessions to promote the benefits of green social prescribing – nature-based, person centred, non-medical interventions and activities.
The challenge
Whilst social prescribing is recognised as a potential offer for individuals experiencing health inequalities resulting from the impacts of wider determinants of health, nature-based interventions are less well understood as an option by many healthcare professionals. This despite significant scientific evidence and the results of Natural England’s Green Social Prescribing Test and Learn programme. As a result, communities and individuals may be missing out on the proven benefits of physical activity outdoors and being connected to nature; being able to manage long-term health conditions; having the ability to prepare for or recover from medical/surgical interventions (prehab and rehab).
The solution
Forestry England has been working with local authority partners, NHS and university settings to deliver first-hand immersive experience sessions, underpinned with presentations on the evidence base for green social prescribing; and providing a free online ‘Forest Champion’ e-learning module.
The aim of these in-person green social prescribing experiences is to expose trainee doctors, link workers, community connectors and student nurses to non-medical, nature-based physical activity interventions to improve and enhance patient physical and mental wellbeing.
The impact
Raised awareness of the potential for green social prescribing as an alternative to medical or clinical routes for improved physical and mental wellbeing. The aspiration is to inform and evolve individuals’ future practice during career progression.Increased physical activity within communities leading to a reduction in GP visits or calls on NHS services.
How is the new approach being sustained?
Relationships are building with NHS Trusts, particularly the ENHANCE Programme, that encourages ‘systems learning and change’ to trainee doctors. We are working to embed green social prescribing in University course curriculums (aspiration).
Lessons learned
The approach takes time to evolve establishing and nurturing trusted relationships.
NHS staff and healthcare professionals are stretched and at over capacity - however, a lot of the principles, tools and techniques are equally applicable for staff self-care as well as patient/community benefits.
Relevant documents
- Forestry England: Health professionals network day at High Lodge
- Forestry England: Quick ways to bring nature into your healthcare setting
- Forestry England: Escape to the forest...from anywhere, calming forest wellbeing videos
- NHS England: Green social prescribing
- Free Forestry Commission online training module
- National evaluation of the preventing and tackling mental health through Green social prescribing project
Contact
Tim Braund, Active Forests Health and Community Officer
Email: [email protected]