Health professionals in the High Peak are to become the first in England to use connecting with nature to help boost health and wellbeing. 

It is part of a new project, led by the RSPB and the Peak District National Park Authority, that will see social prescribing services trial Nature Prescriptions. 

A Nature Prescription is a free to use, non-medical approach based on accessible, self-led activities that people can do from home, on their own or with others, that aim to create lasting connections with nature. 

Two social prescribing services in the High Peak, The Bureau and High Peak Community and Voluntary Support, are involved in the trial. 

Between them they receive referrals from 13 different GP practices, community mental health teams, adult social care, and the Live Life Better Derbyshire scheme, as well as self-referrals. 

Ruth Towner-Yates, community health and wellbeing manager at The Bureau social prescribing service, said: "The evidence of the positive impact of connecting with nature is very positive.  

“It’s a privilege to have been involved in the rollout of this work in the High Peak and we eagerly await good outcomes for our social prescribing clients using it." 

Jess McFall, social prescribing manager at High Peak Community and Voluntary Support, said: "To be the first area in England involved in Nature Prescriptions is exciting and inspiring! 

“We’ve been really impressed with the materials and are eagerly looking forward to connecting our clients to nature and seeing the impact this may have on members of our community first hand.  

“What’s even more special is that the suggestions in the calendar have been carefully curated to make them specific to the places, spaces and environments we all love in the High Peak." 

A Nature Prescription includes a leaflet and calendar of ideas. From listening to the sounds of nature from your window to searching for early morning frost on leaves, the ideas aim to highlight a wide range of ways to realise the health benefits that being in nature can deliver. 

The RSPB has worked collaboratively with the Peak District National Park Authority and the High Peak and Glossopdale Primary Care Networks to set up the trial which follows on from successful pilot project in Scotland. 

To find out more about nature prescriptions visit the RSPB website. 

Read more from the Glossop Chronicle

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper