Nature & Health
Why Nature & Health Matters
I believe our health is deeply connected to the natural environment. Whether it’s a park, a woodland, or a community garden, spending time in green spaces can transform how we feel. Not just physically, but emotionally and socially too.
When these spaces are looked after, they can become places where people exercise, connect with others, reduce stress, and simply breathe a little easier. That’s why the relationship between nature and health is increasingly being recognised as one of the most powerful, yet underused, tools we have to improve wellbeing in our communities.
The Evidence: How Nature Benefits Health
There’s now a growing body of evidence that proves what many of us already feel: being in nature makes us healthier and happier.
- Physical health: Access to green spaces encourages people to move more, lowers blood pressure, and can even aid recovery from illness.
- Mental health: Research shows that time spent outdoors reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, while boosting mood and resilience.
- Social wellbeing: Green spaces bring people together. They reduce loneliness, create opportunities for volunteering, and help communities to thrive.
From the World Health Organisation to Natural England, organisations around the world are highlighting nature as a critical part of our public health infrastructure.
Why This Matters Now
The need has never been greater. More people are experiencing poor mental health, our NHS is under increasing pressure, and inequalities in health outcomes are widening.
Government and health leaders are responding. NHS England has invested £5.77 million in Green Social Prescribing pilots, testing how health, social care, and community based professionals can connect patients to nature-based activities instead of, or alongside, more typically accessed interventions and medications. Natural England and other national bodies are driving forward strategies to ensure everyone has access to quality green spaces.
At the same time, communities themselves are demanding more from their local environments. People want safe, welcoming outdoor spaces where they can improve their health, connect with others, and spend time in nature.
The Role of Green Spaces
Not all green spaces deliver the same benefits. The difference often lies in how they are designed, managed, and connected to the people who use them.
- A well-managed green space feels safe, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone.
- It provides opportunities for different activities; from quiet reflection to group exercise or gardening.
- It is actively linked into local health and wellbeing initiatives, so people are signposted to use it.
Without this kind of intentional management, spaces can quickly become underused, inaccessible, or even unsafe, meaning communities lose out on the health and social benefits they should be gaining.
My Approach: Managing for Wellbeing
This is where I come in. I help landowners, councils, charities, and developers to unlock and realise the health and wellbeing potential of their green spaces.
That can mean:
- Supporting the day-to-day operation and maintenance of spaces.
- Building partnerships with health services, community organisations, and local people.
- Designing and facilitating programmes of activity that link directly to wellbeing outcomes.
My focus is on creating and sustaining spaces that are more than just “green”, they are genuine assets for public health, community connection, and resilience.
Looking Ahead
The momentum behind nature-based health solutions is only growing. With government investment in green social prescribing, research proving the benefits, and communities increasingly asking for healthier environments, now is the time to act.
By investing in the management of green spaces today, organisations can be at the forefront of a movement that improves lives, strengthens communities, and reduces pressure on health services.
If you’d like to explore how I can help manage your green space to support health and wellbeing, I’d love to hear from you.