From community garden projects and local walking groups, to neighbourhood networks transforming alleyways and food growing schemes – community-led initiatives are increasing access to nature and enriching green spaces across Greater Manchester.
Nature for Health, Greater Manchester’s green social prescribing partnership, brings together communities and organisations who are leading nature-based initiatives, to ensure those most in need (in areas of high levels of social and health inequalities, combined with poor access to nature) receive the support that is vital for their health and wellbeing.
Building on Greater Manchester’s nationally-funded two year test and learn programme, the region’s NHS, councils and VCFSE and natural environment organisations are working hard to expand the reach, sustainability and effectiveness of green social prescribing services, connecting people to the support they need.
This year’s work will have a renewed focus on addressing severe mental health needs and reaching minority communities facing the biggest health inequalities with culturally appropriate, accessible and relevant nature-based offers. It will also work on measuring and economically evaluating the effectiveness of referring people to nature-based solutions.
Sarah Coogan-Hill, Operational and clinical lead for physical health and treatment, at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust said:
“Nature-based social prescribing has brought many benefits. We have seen our patients find a place for themselves within their own communities with feedback such as ‘I’ve made a friend’, with others going on to be volunteers. It has given a pathway of development and growth for our patients, leading them to places and new experiences they didn’t know they could achieve through recovery.”
Zoe Porter, Associate Director: Person and Community Centred Approaches, NHS Greater Manchester, said:
“As we support our residents through community-led health and wellbeing, we see how access to nature can transform lives, providing a sense of healing, purpose and connection. Our aim is for green social prescribing to become a standard option for our residents, connecting people into the therapeutic potential of nature for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This builds on our commitment to grow a healthier, greener and fairer Greater Manchester, for everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, to Live Well.”
Nature for Health partners include Groundwork Greater Manchester, Petrus Community, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, START in Salford, Northern Roots, Manchester Mind, City of Trees, Edge Hill University, Pennine Care, GMCA, and Natural England. They are all investing in, and supporting, green social prescribing programmes – aided through GM’s green social prescribing Steering Group and further bolstered by funding through the GM Environment Fund, delivered in partnership with GMCA.
Nature for Health is part of Live Well, Greater Manchester’s movement for community-led health and wellbeing: Live Well | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (gmintegratedcare.org.uk)
