Mother Nature is proving to be a great healer in the Cairngorms
More than 50 people in Badenoch and Strathspey have been prescribed nature-based activities since the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s Nature Prescriptions project launched.
GPs and other health and social care professionals in the strath have been prescribing a dose of Mother Nature in partnership with NHS Highland.
The aim is to support people on an individual basis to connect with nature to feel better.
This is available on a self-referral basis or people can be referred through GP surgeries in Grantown, Aviemore, Kingussie and Laggan.
Once referred, people are put in touch with one of the park authority’s qualified Green Health Link Workers.
One of them, Louise Emslie, said: “We all know that getting outside more often and being active is good for our health and wellbeing but winter can be the time of the year when people find this most challenging.
“Barriers to getting outside can range from the weather-related to accessing transport, cost, physical ability or other health considerations.
“The nature prescriptions project has been helping to address some of these barriers so people can be supported to benefit from nature, in whatever way suits them best.
“The project has connected people with opportunities to join walking and nature groups for a range of abilities or transport to clubs and social events they might not otherwise have been able to access.
“We’ve also support people in learning a new skill like gardening or wildlife identification, nature-based volunteering, relaxing in nature or connecting with nature at home.
“We talk through options and suggestions with each individual to find what will work for them.
“This approach is really important as it leads to setting and achieving realistic goals that are more likely to have a lasting, positive impact.
“There is not a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to connecting with nature and being more active.
“It is a privilege to support people through the nature prescriptions project and those who we have supported to date have found the experience has really benefitted their general health and how they feel.”
If you, or someone you know, would benefit from a nature prescription, talk to your GP or visit the website of the GP practice you are registered with - Grantown, Aviemore, Kingussie or Laggan - to self refer.
People can also use the Think Health Think Nature directory resource to find opportunities to join nature-based groups in the area.
More details are available at https://www.thinkhealththinknature.scot/badenoch-and-strathspey/
The Nature Prescriptions project is part of the Cairngorms 2030 programme which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
