Green Social Prescribing

Green Wellbeing Directory

Our Green Wellbeing Directory features lots of groups, activities and places throughout Bedfordshire where you can enjoy spending time in nature, so please do browse what's available to you.

We also have our own Green Social Prescribing offers below, which we encourage you browse.

Beds RCC Green Social Prescribing

BigglesBike App-bike hire - bikes available to hire via an app at low cost to get around Biggleswade or explore its Green Wheel. Our social prescribing clients are offered a free monthly subscription for 3 months - with 2 hours free hire a day, then £1 an hour thereafter - to support their mental and physical health.

Dunstable Community Halls Community Garden - our wellbeing garden in the heart of Dunstable. A place to relax, grow food and enjoy the company of others.

Friends of Jubilee Park - monthly practical volunteering tasks to enhance this park in Bedford, plus weekly walks to support wellbeing.

Home-based Green Social Prescribing - Supporting wellbeing through nature connection for people who are confined to their home or local area, and are unable to attend local groups.

Ivel Valley Conservation Volunteers - a regular group that meets on Tuesdays in the eastern part of the county to undertake nature conservation tasks. A great way to get active out in nature, learn new skills and to meet new people.

MEET: Men, Exercise, Engage, Talk - a regular group for 18-35 year old men in Golden Garden, Goldington, Bedford, providing a chance to get active, engage with garden and fitness activities and talk to one other in a relaxed, open space. The group meets fortnightly on a Sunday from 12pm.

Nature and Wellbeing Sessions across Bedfordshire - recharge and unwind at one of our sessions this summer in a relaxing natural environment. Part of our programme to support adult mental health.

Rails to Roots Community Garden - based at Ridgmont Heritage Centre, this garden project is accessible from Bedford train station along the Marston Vale line. It’s a great way to grow food, meet others and get active. A regular garden group meets fortnightly on Wednesdays, 10am – 12pm. See video below.

Walk Buddies - Matching local volunteers with residents who would benefit from a ‘Walk Buddy’ to encourage confidence in going for a short walk from their door. The initiative is currently available in Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton, Ampthill and Flitwick.

Wellbeing Walks - co-ordinating the network of over 30 regular Ramblers Wellbeing Walks across Bedfordshire. These walks are free and last about an hour, aimed at those who particularly benefit from walking in local green spaces for their wellbeing.

For more information or to book a place on any of the offers above, please email greenwellbeing@bedsrcc.org.uk or call Nicola on 07984 275652.

Rails to Roots

Further Information

Our work in Green Social Prescribing includes:

• Mapping and profile raising of local nature-based activities
• Delivering new GSP offers through our own assets and partnership working
• Building capacity among local environment groups to support wellbeing through green activities
• Exploring initiatives to improve participation among groups that experience health inequalities

If you would like further information about this work or would like to be involved, please contact Nicola Scholfield, Nicola.scholfield@bedsrcc.org.uk or call 07984 275652.