A Natural Health Service: Meet the New Forest’s National Park NHS Wellbeing fellows

The benefits of time spent outdoors, in nature, and actively socialising have long been recognised by health experts. That’s not to mention the people whose lives have been improved through Green Social Prescribing. This idea builds on the fact that access to green and blue spaces – like we have in the New Forest – comes with huge wellbeing rewards. Is it any wonder, then, they have been sought after for generations?

Meet our fellows

Laura Pridmore and Jennifer Wyllie are doctors who specialise in Old Age Psychiatry, and both are fortunate enough to live with the South Downs and New Forest National Parks on their doorsteps.

Between them they have more than 30 years of healthcare experience across general practice, the military, and various specialisms that span a wide range of patients and age groups.

Laura, with her background in research, has a particular interest in the treatment and prevention of dementia.

She said: ‘Many of the risk factors for dementia can be reduced by a more active lifestyle and by spending more time in nature.

‘There’s a lot of evidence out there that shows that a connection to nature can improve wellbeing as well as reducing social isolation, which is the basis for Green Social Prescribing.

‘My hope for the health fellowship and work on the Green Health Hub is to increase the number of people using the Hub, and to expand the number of activities available through it.

‘I want to increase the awareness of the Green Health Hub among primary care social prescribers, but also beyond this to other services such as community mental health teams.

‘This will make the New Forest an area that’s used more often by people living in it and its surrounding areas to increase their overall wellbeing.’

‘The benefits on wellbeing can be seen when we connect to “everyday nature”.’

Jennifer currently works as a Registrar and started training in Old Age Psychiatry after spending time in Germany, Kenya, and Afghanistan with the military.

She highlighted the New Forest’s rural setting and natural beauty and said: ‘I have seen first-hand the impact [access to green space] has on people’s health, wellbeing, and overall opportunities.

‘Everybody can get involved with nature, we don’t need to go to remote places to do it – the benefits on wellbeing can be seen when we connect to “everyday nature”.

‘During this health fellowship, I hope to be able to work on various projects like the Green Health Hub with the aim to encourage people to connect with nature, and in turn, improve their mental health.

‘To-date, in my job, most prescribing has been around medication, but I have always sought to encourage patients to get outside in the fresh air and to be active, when they can.’

Both Laura and Jennifer have joined events in the New Forest to see first-hand the work being done by the New Forest National Park Authority and its partners to encourage accessible activities in the area.

The New Forest National Park Authority is working alongside Hampshire County Council to welcome two new health fellows who will explore the health benefits of the Forest and its surrounding areas.

This partnership will build on the work of paediatrician and previous fellow, James, and his report that estimated the New Forest can deliver avoided healthcare costs equivalent to nearly 1,000 nurses’ salaries.