On 20th January WENP hosted a free online training event on the role of nature in health & care run as part of the Green Social Prescribing Pilot in the West of England. This was an online launch event to support the government-funded Green Social Prescribing Pilot Project currently running locally in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). Throughout 2022 the West of England Nature Partnership (WENP) will be coordinating a programme of support and training for local nature-based projects, referrers and others interested in this growing sector. These will be promoting ways to link health and care services that help individuals and communities connect with Nature in their local area.
The online event was hosted by Michéal Connors, Director of Natural Academy, and provided those who attended with:
- An overview of local nature-health partnerships
- Understanding of why and how nature can help mental and physical health.
- Understanding of some nature-based health and care skills and practices.
- Updates on local guides to what services are available in your area.
- Knowledge of how to get more support and training in the area.
- Awareness of the idea of local nature-health champions and good practice networks.
Presentations were given by Marion Steiner, GP and Chair of the WENP Nature and Health Strategy Group; Kelly Bray, Wilder Communities Manager at Avon Wildlife Trust and Project lead on the WENP-led Training Programme for Green Social Prescribing; and Will Shipp, Social Prescribing Link Worker at Southmead Development Trust.
A recording of the event is available to view at the following link: Nature: Partner in Health and Care (20th January 2022) – YouTube.
Meeting slides can be viewed here: https://wenp.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Nature_Partner-in-Health-Care_Slides.pdf
