Green Social Prescribing: A Doctor’s Note as Fellowship Reaches Six-month Milestone 

Doctors Laura Pridmore and Jennifer Wyllie have reached a six-month milestone as National Park NHS Wellbeing Fellows in the New Forest, having set out at the end of summer 2024 to boost the mental and physical wellbeing of those in the Forest and its surrounding areas. 

The aim of the fellowship is the promotion of Green Social Prescribing, which helps people get outdoors and gain from the many wellbeing benefits that come with nature-based activities. 

Green Social Prescribing is also core to Laura and Jennifer’s work to increase the presence of the Green Health Hub as a place for people to find opportunities in nature and to foster connections between the groups that empower them. 

A milestone to reflect on and look forward from

Laura and Jennifer have marked their six-month milestone by reflecting on the varied experiences they have had and valuable lessons they have learned. They also took the time to look ahead to projects planned for the rest of the fellowship and the legacy these could leave. 

Jennifer said: ‘Green Social Prescribing is all about the connection between people and knowing what’s available locally – the groups that run nature-based activities and how to match people to those.  

‘I feel passionately that, even outside this fellowship, it would be important for all trainee health professionals and all medical specialities to get some exposure to treating public health in non-clinical settings because I think it makes you a more rounded clinician. 

‘One thing I’ve really taken away is about communication and [the importance of] relationships.’ 

Connections are key

Laura added that Green Social Prescribing has offered an opportunity for her to meet, understand, and interact with people and organisations while working on a similar level to them. Both agreed the fellowship has led them to think differently about wellbeing and healthcare. 

Laura said: ‘We’ve learned that there are lots of people out there who are passionate about people and the community, and want the best health outcomes for everybody. 

‘There’s always been the feeling that if you spend time outside, it can help make you feel better – your mood is better, you sleep better.’ 

Laura and Jennifer both said the fellowship so far has passed quickly but highlighted standout moments like attending the Pass the PEDALL inclusive cycling fundraiser, presenting to Hampshire County Council about barriers faced by people when accessing nature, and meeting numerous Forest groups such as CODA Music and Arts Trust, Pondhead Conservation Trust, Lymington Parkrun Woodside, and Pennington Allotment. 

They also looked ahead to ongoing projects, including work to establish a group based at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst, as well as transforming an NHS site through conservation work, which they hope will encourage a shift in day-to-day use by workers and visitors through to utilise the outdoor space.   

‘Something that’s tangible and that continues on.’

This is in addition to raising awareness of the Green Health Hub itself and spreading the word about Green Social Prescribing and its benefits through potential future talks and conversations.   

Jennifer said: ‘We both wanted something that’s tangible and that continues on.’  

She added: ‘Another thing about nature connection is that it encourages pro-environmental behaviours, and I think we’ve all got a duty to be aware of the climate and targets surrounding that. There’s a real push for that in the NHS.   

‘I think the better connected you are to nature, the more you can see the changes in the environment around you – and therefore, the more likely you are to take action and be responsible.’  

Green Social Prescribing is considered a path that people can follow to improve their own mental and physical health outside of clinical settings, and as a preventative strategy as an alternative or in addition to medication that can, in turn, help reduce demand on the NHS and mental health services.   

Laura and Jennifer’s National Park NHS Wellbeing fellowship is allowing them to work with the New Forest National Park Authority alongside Hampshire County Council and its public health team to explore the health benefits of the Forest, its surrounding areas, and the groups in the area.  

The fellowship builds on the work of paediatrician and previous fellow, Dr James Alden, and his report that estimated the New Forest can deliver annual avoided healthcare costs equivalent to the salaries of almost 1,000 nurses.