Less than half the population say they've been to the countryside
or a local park recently[i].
But the NHS is turning to places like that to help with certain
treatments.
Natural England is funding courses aimed at nurses, therapists
and other healthcare professionals from across Sussex to make
more use of outdoor settings in treating those with poor mental
health.
The training builds on evidence being outside can help lead to
lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart attacks and
strokes[ii].
Course-goers learn a variety of skills, from being able to adapt
treatments to new surroundings to using their experience and
training from many years inside, outside.
By the end of the sessions, which are spread over 5 months, those
attending should have the confidence and competence to work with
groups in a range of outdoor settings.
The course, which carries a formal training accreditation, is
suited to professionals who support children, young people and
adults, including, from psychiatrists and psychologists to social
and youth workers, therapists and those working in family
support.
Healthcare staff have reported feeling more relaxed when outside,
when not necessarily working, as well as refreshed and
re-energised. It's hoped these benefits can transfer themselves
to the care they give patients.
The training is delivered by Circle of Life Rediscovery, a
community interest company based in Laughton, near Lewes.
Through the workshops, the partnership between Natural England
and CLR is already highlighting the need to use green spaces
where we live and work to improve health and wellbeing.
Sarah Davies, Natural England's principal adviser for
partnerships in Sussex and Kent, said:
“The importance of open spaces cannot be underestimated. Nature
can relax us, educate us, and help reduce anxiety and depression.
“We know there are countless benefits to connecting with nature –
it makes us feel better, physically and mentally.”
Some 36 NHS staff in Sussex have done the course since 2023. It
offers an ITC level 3 qualification, providing students with the
necessary skills to work with individuals and groups of all ages.
The 2024 cohort of 16 health service staff recently met at
Laughton Greenwood to share personal experiences of what they
learned in the sessions. The group also heard from professionals
with long experience in using nature to aide healthcare.
A senior nurse from Sussex who took part in the training said:
“My experience doing this course has really transformed my
thinking regarding nature-based practice. I have managed to apply
parts of what I learnt within my work environment and have full
backing from colleagues regarding trying to utilise what I
learnt.
“I never realised the true impact outdoors can have on an
individual and team level and hope to see it being prescribed in
the future as a treatment for certain health problems.”
Marina Robb, director and founder of Circle of Life Rediscovery,
said:
“To be able to sustainably bring the benefits of nature-based
practice into the NHS and provide access to nature for
physical and mental health, training NHS staff is a
sensible way forward for teams and their service-users.”
This year's sessions are underway, with bookings open for the
2026 courses, taking place at Laughton from late June: https://circleofliferediscovery.com/certificate-in-nature-based-practice/.
This nature-based training for NHS staff coincides with a
wide-ranging surveyinto how exposure to
natural spaces positively affects people's health, behaviour and
attitude to the environment over an extended period of
time.
The three-year study will involve a sample of approximately
18,000 adults across the country, in a partnership between
Natural England, the University of Exeter and the Natural
Environment Research Council, and developed by organisations from
a range of sectors.
[i] The People and
Nature Survey for England 2024: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-people-and-nature-surveys-for-england-adults-data-y5q3-october-2024-december-2024
[ii] Blog by Dr Sue
, Natural Resources Wales: Mending
minds - the benefits of a ‘dose of nature' for mental health
