What is Green Social Prescribing?
Green Social Prescribing involves helping people to take part in nature-based activities to improve their mental and physical health.
These activities could include community gardening, local walking schemes, conservation volunteering, outdoor arts and culture, wild swimming and green gyms, among others.
Social Prescribing Link Workers, or other professionals, identify that someone could benefit and then connect them to community groups that can provide relevant, nature-based activities and support, based on what matters to that person.
Find out more about delivering nature-based activities in the Green Social Prescribing Practitioner Guidance.
The case for Green Social Prescribing
Revised Edition: Green Social Prescribing Toolkit
The cross-Government Green Social Prescribing programme
The Green Social Prescribing Programme to Tackle and Prevent Mental Ill Health was a pioneering initiative to test the benefits of using nature-based support for people’s mental health.
Established in October 2020, the £5.77 million cross-Government programme set out to test how to embed green social prescribing into communities. Learnings have been applied to the revised Green Social Prescribing Toolkit and other resources to expand this successful programme.
What is the evidence for Green Social Prescribing?
There is strong evidence that Green Social Prescribing can benefit our physical and mental health.
Evaluations from the cross-Government Green Social Prescribing Programme to Tackle and Prevent Mental Ill Health (2021-2025) showed:
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Statistically significant improvements in mental health and wellbeing and strong engagement in communities experiencing high levels of social inequalities that affect health and wellbeing.
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Green social prescribing was relatively cost-effective compared to other mental health interventions. For every £1 invested by central government, the programme generated a social return on investment of up to £2.42.
How do I get involved with Green Social Prescribing?
Find a huge range of resources, toolkits, factsheets and case studies on Green Social Prescribing in our Innovation Community.
Whether you’re an NHS professional, a charity leader or work for local Government, sign up now to find out more and develop your work.
What are Nature Buddies?
Nature Buddies are volunteers who help people to access green spaces.
Download our Nature Buddies Toolkit, designed for organisations and providers to help set up a Nature Buddies programme and supporting people to take part in nature-based activities.
How Can I Find Out More, Get Involved, or Get Help?
If you're a regional leader or decision-maker
Revised Green Social Prescribing Toolkit: learning from the GSP programme sites around establishing, developing and sustaining Green Social Prescribing systems regionally.
The Providers' Report 'Changing the Lens: Provider Perspectives on Green Social Prescribing' - DEFRA-funded research
Green Social Prescribing Advocacy Pack: collates evidence and key messages for advocacy around Green Social Prescribing.
Phase 1 evaluation report demonstrates the impact of the cross-Government Green Social Prescribing Programme to Tackle and Prevent Mental Ill Health.
The Green Social Prescribing Practice Report (for leaders in the health system) reviews what worked well in the GSP programme from a health system perspective, and provides recommendations for future policy and practice.
Commissioners briefing on the evidence for using Green Social Prescribing to support people living with long term conditions: Nature-Based Interventions Cut NHS Costs and Improve Wellbeing
Videos for the case for green social prescribing, how to set up a green social prescribing programme, and how to scale green social prescribing in integrated care systems.
If you're a nature provider
Green Social Prescribing Practitioner Guidance: Green Social Prescribing Guidance - Ensuring safe and effective referrals from the health system
Green Social Prescribing Process Journeys: The Green Social Prescribing Journey Collection - examples of how local and regional voluntary sector organisations handled key challenges in Green Social Prescribing delivery.
Nature Buddies toolkit: The Nature Buddies Toolkit is designed for organisations and providers to help set up a Nature Buddies programme and support people to take part in nature-based activities.
The Nature Connection Handbook: a guide for increasing people’s connection to nature
The Providers' Report 'Changing the Lens: Provider Perspectives on Green Social Prescribing' - DEFRA-funded research
If you're a GP
Red Whale Green Social Prescribing online training course - Green Social Prescribing - Red Whale Course 2025
Using Green Social Prescribing to support people living with long term conditions - briefing on the evidence for clinicians 'Nature-Based Interventions: Turning Research into Practice for Long-Term Conditions'
If you're a patient or carer
A prescription for nature (WWF campaign) - A Prescription for Nature
Using GSP to support people living with long-term conditions - patients and carers briefing 'Using Nature-Based Solutions to treat Long-Term Conditions'
Seven test and learn sites - evaluation reports
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: GSP Programme phase 1 evaluation
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: GSP Programme phase 2 evaluation
Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire: GSP Programme phase 1 evaluation
Humber and North Yorkshire: GSP Programme phase 1 evaluation
Surrey Heartlands: GSP Programme phase 1 evaluation
Derbyshire: GSP Programme phase 1 evaluation
Greater Manchester: GSP Programme 2021-2025 evaluation
South Yorkshire: GSP Programme evaluation
Evidence reviews
A narrative review of reviews of nature exposure and human health and well-being in the UK (Natural England, 2024)
The Role of Nature-Based Interventions in Supporting Long-Term Conditions through Green Social Prescribing: A Systematic Review
Links between natural environments and mental health - EIN065
Links between natural environments and physical health
A National Health Service – Wildlife Trusts (economic evidence)
