A rainbow coloured bench at an allotment on a sunny day

Green Social Prescribing

Helping People Connect with Nature for Better Health and Wellbeing  

In this section

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.  

 

Click to watch the 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. 

 

Explore the GSP Process Journey Collection, a new national resource about the real-world implementation of green social prescribing across different organisations. 

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. 

Sign up

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: 

  • Statistically significant improvements in mental health and wellbeing and strong engagement in communities experiencing high levels of social inequalities that affect health and wellbeing.  

  • 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. 

Find out more about evidence and research
A walker stops to examine some wildflowers at the side of a path

What was the cross-Government Green Social Prescribing Programme?

Launched in April 2021, the £5.77 Green Social Prescribing Programme to Tackle and Prevent Mental Ill Health set out to embed Green Social Prescribing into communities in order to: 

  • Improve mental health outcomes 

  • Reduce health inequalities  

  • Reduce demand on the health and social care system  

  • 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. 

 

The first phase of the programme was supported by the Treasury Shared Outcomes Fund with additional funds from NHS England, Sport England and National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP). It was project managed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) with support of national partners Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Natural England, Sport England and NASP. The test and learn site delivery was project managed by NHS England. 

 

The second phase of programme was supported by the Treasury Shared Outcomes Fund and partners. It was project managed by the National Academy for Social Prescribing. 

Find out more

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. 

Two people walking in the forest wearing trainers and walking clothes

How Can I Find Out More, Get Involved, or Get Help?

If you’re a local voluntary, community, faith, or social enterprise organisation… 

  • Download our Green Social Prescribing Toolkit, designed to help communities, organisations and health professionals who are looking to set up green social prescribing programmes that connect with local health systems.
  • 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.

Find out more about how we support local communities. 

If you need support for yourself or a loved one… 

Speak with your GP and ask to be referred to a link worker. You can also find local green social prescribing initiatives by searching:  

You can also take small steps today to connect with nature. Whether that means walking in your local park or growing your first window box garden.  

If you’re a link worker or health professional 

Green social prescribing (also called nature social prescribing) is an evidence-based, legitimate way of offering non-medical support. To find out more, you can:  

Other useful resources for link workers include: 

  • Social farms and gardens 
  • Your local voluntary community services 
  • The community or parks/greenspace info on your local authority website  
  • Gardening4health – a specialist site set up by a GP Richard Claxton, to highlight gardening projects around the UK 

If you’re looking for more online information, resources, and evidence… 

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