Green social prescribing: the power of a natural prescription
This NHS Forest blog post (14 March 2024) explores a natural community-based solution to improving our mental and physical health. This includes the concept of nature connectedness.
Nature and our health
Natural England recently published a report summarising evidence of the benefits of nature-based interventions for people, like outdoor exercise, education and gardening. Read Principal Adviser, Ruth Lamont’s blog to learn more about the relationships between nature and human health and wellbeing.
A narrative review of reviews of nature exposure and human health and well-being in the UK
Published by Natural England (March 2024), this extensive review was completed to provide a clear understanding of existing evidence linking exposure to nature and human health and well-being. It looks at the impact of exposure to natural environments and active engagement with them. The review adds to understanding of the [...]
Active Play programme expands into North Ayrshire
The Thrive Outdoors team have shared how they are bringing Active Play to North Ayrshire. The Active Play programme increase children’s physical activity levels and improves their physical literacy through outdoor play. Boosting physical activity and outdoor play is vital for children’s health and wellbeing. Active Play also operates in [...]
Charity’s nature-based scheme helping local youngsters back into education
This article from the Greenock Telegraph (1 April 2024) describes how Barnardo’s Scotland has been running its ‘B-Wild’ project in eight localities, including Inverclyde, since 2020. The initiative allows young people to get out and about in nature and explore what the world has to offer. More than 800 children and [...]
Reciprocal care for nature and wellbeing project
Increasing the use of the outdoors is one way the Scottish Government measures the prosperity and well-being of its citizens. Greenspace Scotland have shared this Scottish Government strategic research programme, which recognises the need to cultivate conditions for a reciprocal relationship between people and the environment. This includes how childhood [...]
‘It’s good for their self-esteem’: the substance beneath the label
In this article in the Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning, Mark Leather provides an informed and critical understanding of the concept of self-esteem. He explores this psychological construct in relation to its use in adventure education and outdoor learning. The paper argues that outdoor educators need to be [...]
10 Reasons Children, Adults & Communities Need Vitamin N
School Outdoor Learning share a good reminder of why we all need Vitamin N (short for nature) from Richard Louv. Read through the list, then step outside and take some time in nature. It could be at your local park, woodland or simply a stroll around your neighbourhood to look [...]
