On 10th March, we were delighted to host an event to explore Green Social Prescribing in Bedfordshire. Green Social Prescribing is where people take part in nature-based activities to support their health and wellbeing.
The event was supported by Grand Union Housing Group and brought together people from the environmental and the mental health sectors across Bedfordshire. Speakers at the event included Matthew Sutcliffe from Beds, Cambs & Northants Wildlife Trust, Green Social Prescriber Nicola Scholfield and Emma Dagless from Grand Union Housing Group.
During the course of the morning, attendees learnt about our work in Social Prescribing and heard from local organisations about how nature-based activities are being offered to support mental health. They also found out about the national Green Social Prescribing pilot sites in England, and what weāre beginning to learn from these.
Feedback from the event showed a clear interest in more opportunities to connect, so we are setting up a local Green Wellbeing Network – a chance for people and organisations to network, learn and share experience ā plus help to build the case for Green Social Prescribing locally. We plan to support this through setting up training, network events and a newsletter. If you are interested in being part of this, please contact Nicola.Scholfield@bedsrcc.org.uk
This event was part of Beds RCCās programme to support and develop Green Social Prescribing in Bedfordshire, by supporting connection and capacity building among local organisations. This area of work complements our wider wellbeing service, which includes a large Social Prescribing team that offers free one-to-one support to help people improve their own health and wellbeing. Our Social Prescribers, called Community Wellbeing Champions (CWCs), listen to people and help connect them to local services, groups and activities in their community that can benefit their wellbeing. GPs and other healthcare professionals refer patients to this service, or people can refer themselves. Find out more about Social Prescribing at ywb.org.uk.
Since May 2022, we have had a Green Social Prescribing Officer in post to support and increase the number and range of green wellbeing opportunities available to Bedfordshire residents. Since then we have developed new opportunities for Green Social Prescribing and developed a Green Wellbeing section of our website, which includes places to get outside, resources about nature and wellbeing and our Green Wellbeing Directory with information about activities across Bedfordshire. Visit our website to find out more.