Key findings from research into the impact of a £5.77m cross-governmental project in England which looked at the effectiveness of increased Green Social Prescribing on tackling and preventing mental illness include:

• after taking part in nature-based activities participants' feelings of happiness, anxiety, life satisfaction and feeling that life was worthwhile had improved - from below average to the national average.
• compared to other social prescribing initiatives, the project reached a broader range of people including the young, ethnic minorities and those from socio-economically deprived areas. 
• the average cost of £507 per participant was found to be cost-effective in comparison to other interventions that can be prescribed.

Referrals were from GPs, community mental health teams, social workers or people could self-refer. Social Prescribing Link Workers, and other trusted professionals connected participants to community groups and agencies locally.

Marion Steiner a GP from Bristol who was part of one of the 7 Test and Learn Pilot Sites said: 

“Connecting with nature is a lifelong resource with proven benefits for mental and physical health. It can cut through generations of adverse life events. But many of the patients I treat can’t currently access nature in this way due to a range of personal, social, and cultural barriers. That’s why Green Social Prescribing is so important. This project has the potential to reduce a range of prescribing and treatment costs for the NHS, as well as addressing many health needs and lowering the risk of several diseases, from diabetes to depression.”

Professor Chris Dayson, from the Centre for Regional, Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University, added: 

“Our findings demonstrate how Green Social Prescribing can support people with their mental health. Most nature-based activities are provided by small locally based voluntary organisations and community groups and this study highlights how concerns about their sustainability present a barrier to further progress. If Green Social Prescribing is to continue to be successful further investment is now required by the health system to support these organisations, their staff and volunteers to grow and develop.”

Download this research 'Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill Health through Green Social Prescribing Project Evaluation here. University of Exeter,  University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and University of Plymouth undertook the research.

See greenspace scotland’s recent work with the North Ayrshire Green Health Partnership, Community Planning Partners and other stakeholders on the development and delivery of the North Ayrshire Green Health Strategic Framework plus further Green Health work and resources.