We are delighted to have launched the Green Social Prescribing Innovation Community, which aims to support the spread and scale of green social prescribing nationally.
Building on what has been learned from the cross-Government Green Social Prescribing Programme to Tackle and Prevent Mental Ill Health and its test and learn sites, the community is an online space where people can collaborate, share learning and support each other.
The Innovation Community includes:
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A searchable Resource Hub, including learning from the Green Social Prescribing programme and wider work
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A membership area, including a space for national and regional conversations relevant to Green Social Prescribing – which people can sign up to as part of our wider Innovation Network
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Networking and events.
Commissioned by the national partners in the programme (DEFRA, DHSC, Sport England, Natural England and NASP), the community has been co-produced with experts from across the social prescribing and nature sectors.
We aim to develop the community based on what members want from it, and we will add new resources over the coming months, including a new toolkit and videos.
What was the cross-Government Green Social Prescribing Programme?
Launched in April 2021, the £5.77 Green Social Prescribing programme set out to embed Green Social Prescribing into communities in order to:
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Improve mental health outcomes
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Reduce health inequalities
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Reduce demand on the health and social care system
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Develop best practice in making green social activities more resilient and accessible.
Following the successful completion of the programme, we are working with NHS Integrated Care Boards to try to make Green Social Prescribing a normal part of support offered to patients across the country.
