Agenda item

Clare Griffin made a health and well-being presentation to the Local Access Forum (LAF).  Clare is a general outdoor enthusiast and is a member of several related interest groups.  Through her role working for the NHS at The Christie Hospital, Clare has become increasingly aware of the benefits of patients accessing blue and green space, including encouraging physical activity, and overall improvements to mental health and well-being.  Clare shared some useful resources and research with LAF members, particularly supporting the link between better outcomes for cancer patients and accessing nature.  The presentation also included information about barriers to accessing nature, and the negative impact this has on the public’s health. 

Charlotte Leech joined the meeting at 10:10 am.

Summary of Discussion

The benefits to mental and physical health of access to nature is backed up by scientific research.  Everyone is affected by health issues either personally or through someone they know.  The LAF have a role in access for all to nature and more access in the long term can be shown to reduce costs in the health care system.  The role of government is key.

Locally, the Miles without Stiles project is a good resource.  Improving access enables people to easily get out and benefit from nature.  The network for linking people to sites in green spaces could be improved.  There are various ways access to nature can be communicated, and wider green prescribing would be good.  Patients often get given information about accessing health care and treatment, and access to nature advice could be part of that.

The National Trust is preparing a business case to DEFRA for a landscape recovery project in the High Peak.  Improved health and wellbeing benefits the rural economy and is a cost saving overall.

There are inequalities in access to nature. In areas of deprivation the infrastructure is poor and access routes in urban areas are poorly maintained and impacted by litter.

Rachael Lyon, Young People & Communities Team Leader, from the Peak District National Park Authority’s (PDNPA) Engagement Team, was present to update the LAF on the work of her team.  They are a small team, making links with professionals and other organisations.  Communication is a key element to reaching out to a diverse audience with different needs.  The team support link workers and organisations, especially in relation to those with mental health conditions.  This is done through information sharing and sign posting to resources and other organisations.  The team works with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) on Nature Prescriptions.  Other National Parks are carrying out similar work with people in their own space.  The Peaks of Health project operates in the south of the PDNP, an area where it has previously been difficult to connect with people.  The team is also working with the PDNPA’s cycle hire team to promote the accessible equipment that is available.  They are creating a health and wellbeing network to connect organisations and bring in resources to complement and communicate the work.  A health and wellbeing network has been established.  The LAF was interested to hear about this work and offered to help the team where possible.

As part of Gill Millward’s RoWIP Update for June’s LAF meeting, it was mentioned that an interactive map has been developed to promote emotional health and wellbeing across Derby and Derbyshire to help connect people with local outdoor activity groups and opportunities to stay active and connect with nature which includes parks, trails, places of beauty, outdoor gyms, community gardens and more. The link to the webpage which was launched in May 2024 to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week is here:

https://bit.ly/Movemorenature along with a link to the map itself:

https://bit.ly/MHPAMap

Action: It was suggested that someone leading on this work could be invited to a future Forum meeting to provide and update.