Green Social Prescribing & Mental Health for vulnerable families

10th January 2025

Green Social Prescribing & Mental Health, part one: Vulnerable Families Walk and Talk

We are delighted to share this Voices blog by Louise Smith, Specialist Health Visitor for Vulnerable families at South Warwickshire University Foundation NHS Trust, who shares information about the benefits and impact of Green Social Prescribing and Mental Health for vulnerable families and her initiative “Families Walk and Talk”.

We can all agree that there is something calming and rejuvenating about being in nature. It offers peace, perspective and wonder, and it is FREE. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of being outdoors to promote people’s mental and physical health, as well as the inequality of access to a green space¹. Based on these findings in 2021¹, the Environment Secretary announced a £4 million investment for a cross-government project aiming to prevent and tackle mental ill-health through green social prescribing. In a recent NHS England report ², green social prescribing is described as a tool to reduce the demand on health and social care systems, is not costly to implement, and could result in the NHS saving over £600 million pounds. The report also highlighted best practice in making green social activities more sustainable and accessible².

Based on these concepts and my passion for being in nature, I started my own research to find out what green activities are available for families in my local community, that I could promote to the vulnerable families I work with. In Coventry, we have a buggy run and walk and talks, which are predominately aimed at adults with a mental health diagnosis. My research and experience also highlighted that families who live in a more socio-economically deprived area are less likely to take up the local community offers.

I decided to implement ‘green’ initiatives as an early intervention model, and to address social inequalities, for the families living in a temporary accommodation building that I cover in my role. Isolation, poor mental health and stigma are some of the complexities that come with living in a temporary accommodation. My initiative was to set up a monthly “Families Walk and Talk”, available to all the families living in the building. While other Walk and Talks are available, this initiative is unique in its accessibility for the families that are homeless and living in temporary accommodation, and also in the way which it addresses the complexities and barriers that come with this.

With a small budget from my Trust, I was able to purchase high-vis vests, wellies and rain suits for the children. We also have some litter pickers which the children and adults enjoy using and strengthens their respect for their local community. To encourage dads to access the “Families Walk and Talk,” I have recruited a male member of staff from the ‘Be active Be healthy team.’ Collaboration with the building’s housing officer has also been key to the success of this initiative, who has hung my posters, given out leaflets and encouraged families to attend. Funding from the company that runs the building has ensured the families have healthy refreshments whilst we are out and when we get back.

Connecting the diverse families to nature was a shared experience which created common ground amongst them. Whilst out in nature, I encourage the families to be present by using their 5 senses. This supports the habit of mindfulness, and grounds them to connect with the moment of being in a green space. Our “Families Walk and Talk” offers families a simple yet powerful way to step outside and experience the benefits of nature. By exploring local green spaces together, we are not only helping to improve their mental health but also fostering a sense of community and connection. It is amazing to see parents and children bonding in such a positive environment.

I have implemented an emotions emoji feedback form which is completed before we go out and when we get back. The feedback demonstrates the powerful effect which being in nature with others has on emotional wellbeing and connectedness.

I feel a lot better after the walk, had a good chat with Health Visitor Louise, she is very helpful and kind.

I am happy after walk, I am feeling very well.

Another walk and talk is okay to help stimulate the mind and body for both child and mother.

Feeling a bit better, would like some more activities, more picnics.

Great walk for mums and children.

I feel great going on a walk.

Amazing. Especially walking in the rain, watching the birds, bumping into a few dogs, fresh air and chatting helped me with anxiety. Just being in a safe place.

I was excited to see all the trees and walking through the wood. I will be looking forward to the next walk.

Breath of fresh air. it is really worth it. my son loves it.

On an individual level, this project is reported to have addressed and improved physical and mental health. On an organisational level, it has increased collaboration with other professionals, and on a national level, it is addressing inequalities.  To find out more about the Families Walk and Talk, check out our lovely video.

Inspired by this project and the power of green social prescribing, my colleague, Sophie Jack, has also set up a Forest School to promote perinatal and infant mental health, and parent-infant relationships. Both the “Families Walk and Talk” and Sophie’s Forest School have been showcased within the Trust’s communications teams, and the initiatives have been featured in the Natural England’s October newsletter. To find out more about the Forest School, keep your eyes peeled for Sophie’s Voices Blog, which will be published next week!

Let us spread the word of the power of green social prescribing! I encourage you to find out what green activities are available in your local community, and to support families to access them!

Louise Smith, Specialist Health Visitor for Vulnerable families, South Warwickshire University Foundation NHS Trust

References

1. Green Social Prescribing: call for expressions of interest. (2021)Available from Green social prescribing: call for expressions of interest – GOV.UK (Accessed on 9/10/2023)
2. Green Social Prescribing (2022) Available from NHS England » Green social prescribing (Accessed on 6/8/2023)