Funding for work which uses nature to improve mental health | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership

The region was one of seven areas which took part in a two-year pilot. This tested how spending time in nature, such as community garden projects and local walking groups, could improve health and wellbeing.

The Greater Manchester Nature for Health green social prescribing programme brings together communities and organisations to provide nature-based activities for people struggling with their mental health.

The seven areas will now receive nearly £4 million of national funding to continue their programmes for another year. This follows research which showed that taking part improved people’s happiness. Their levels of anxiety fell significantly and they felt that life was more worthwhile.

The funding is being provided by the Government’s Shared Outcomes Fund and partner organisations, Defra and NHS England.

It will allow Greater Manchester to:

Build on the success of Nature for Health
Reach people with severe mental health needs and those from ethnic minority communities with the biggest health inequalities
Evaluate the programme locally

Sarah Coogan-Hill, operational and clinical lead for physical health and treatment at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Green social prescribing has many benefits. We have seen our patients find a place for themselves within their own communities.

“We’ve had feedback such as ‘I’ve made a friend’. Others are going on to be volunteers. Patients are enjoying new experiences they didn’t know they could achieve through recovery.”

Zoe Porter, NHS Greater Manchester’s associate director: person and community centred approaches, added: “Access to nature can transform lives and gives a sense of healing, purpose and connection. Our aim is for green social prescribing to become a standard option for our residents. 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.”