Zoë Freedman, Author at National Academy for Social Prescribing

Help Gardening4Health connect people to gardening

Zoë Freedman2021-01-13T16:35:25+00:00

As a GP and both a keen gardener and a trainee in Garden Design I have long been aware of the benefits that come from gardening and horticulture for both myself and my own well-being, but more importantly for that of my patients. The COVID-19 pandemic and the UK lockdown in 2020 saw a rapid growth in the wider use of gardening to maintain mental and physical well-being for many people. Moreover, there has been a steady growth in recent years of organisations across the UK that provide social and therapeutic horticulture for service users. People living with [...]

Help Gardening4Health connect people to gardeningZoë Freedman2021-01-13T16:35:25+00:00

Norfolk Green Care Network: connecting people with nature

Zoë Freedman2021-01-13T14:51:04+00:00

Norfolk Green Care Network’s mission is to connect people with nature. Carlyn Kilpatrick and Nigel Boldero launched this initiative nearly 18 months ago. As a network, we bring together 200 projects, people and organisations who believe in the power of connecting with nature and are actively involved or interested in fostering Green Care. Green Care is an umbrella term for nature-based interventions including care farming, conservation, walk and talk groups, horticulture etc. Understandably like every other area and project, our network also had to put some plans on hold when the lockdown first started. Soon it was evident [...]

Norfolk Green Care Network: connecting people with natureZoë Freedman2021-01-13T14:51:04+00:00

Why community activity groups need to be Learning Together

Zoë Freedman2021-01-04T15:26:24+00:00

Esther Watts, the National Academy for Social Prescribing’s regional lead for the South East, reflects on the challenges community and voluntary organisations have faced during COVID-19, and how a new support initiative, Learning Together, aims to champion and support their work, to help them overcome these barriers. The lockdowns caused by COVID-19 have put a terrible strain on many community and voluntary organisations providing activities for their local communities. As the former lead in London for Dementia Friendly Communities at the Alzheimer’s Society, my own experience of working with community groups has given me some insights into how [...]

Why community activity groups need to be Learning TogetherZoë Freedman2021-01-04T15:26:24+00:00

Integrated Plus: how the relationship between social prescribing, the voluntary sector and general practice is helping people in Dudley

Zoë Freedman2020-12-15T15:34:14+00:00

Aiesha Turner is a locality link officer for Integrated Plus in Dudley and Netherton. Here she talks about the benefits of Primary Care Networks having social prescribing link workers based in the voluntary sector, and the impact they have been making during the coronavirus pandemic. Integrated Plus has been working with GP surgeries across Dudley for around six years. We have well established relationships with each surgery in our localities and with our CCG and local authority services. We are in the fortunate position of being employed by Dudley Council for Voluntary Service (DCVS), which means that we [...]

Integrated Plus: how the relationship between social prescribing, the voluntary sector and general practice is helping people in DudleyZoë Freedman2020-12-15T15:34:14+00:00

Isolation Blanket Provides a Lifeline During Lockdown

Zoë Freedman2020-12-14T10:10:27+00:00

When we are born, we are wrapped in a blanket. When we die, we are covered with a blanket. Traditionally a large wool covering for warmth on a bed, the blanket has a meaning that is so much more. As a child, a blanket is often used in times of comfort when they are poorly or upset. It is used for soothing, calming and as a kindness gesture, and can often become a favourite possession that a child is both physically and emotionally attached to. ASCEND is an award-winning community charity based in South Oxhey, Hertfordshire. We support [...]

Isolation Blanket Provides a Lifeline During LockdownZoë Freedman2020-12-14T10:10:27+00:00