Photo: Mayor David Skaith with organisers (back row) and participants (front row) in the project at Helmsley Walled Garden
The UK’s first Protected Landscape-led Natural Health Service is being piloted by North York Moors Trust as part of David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire’s, Moving Forward campaign to help improve wellbeing, reduce loneliness and support people to get and stay active.
Delivered by the North Yorks Moors Trust, the pilot is backed by £100,000 from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund. The programme forms a key part of the authority’s commitment to improve health outcomes and strengthen communities.
Since its November launch the project has trained 148 professionals from across health, housing, employment, environmental and criminal justice sectors. 50 participants have, also, been signposted into the first ten-week intervention cohort. The course includes activities such as sensory, creative, practical and skills-based experiences designed to support wellbeing and confidence.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“Getting outside is so important for our wellbeing, but for many people there are too many barriers. Too often the people who would benefit the most face the biggest challenges.
“Our Natural Health Service is putting our region’s beautiful countryside at the heart of changing that. Connecting our health services with our national parks, we can help people at an earlier stage, improving lives and taking pressure off the NHS.”
As part of the pilot, the Mayor visited a Natural Health Service session in Helmsley for the York Carers Centre. The session focussed on nature connection, providing a respite opportunity for the group who have caring responsibilities for children and adults with additional needs.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, added:
“The Natural Health Service is testing ways to bring more people like York Carers to enjoy the calm, quiet beauty of the North York Moors.
“Hearing how this work has an instant effect on carers like Babs was powerful and I’m excited to see the impacts of this pilot project.”
James Metcalfe, Executive Director of the North York Moors Trust, said:
“The Natural Health Service is an exciting programme that will help people live healthier, more active and connected lives. With half of North Yorkshire made up of national parks, national landscapes, dark sky reserves and rich green and blue spaces, our region is uniquely placed to realise the full health benefits that nature can provide.
“One of the clearest early signs of potential is the strong response from professionals across sectors, showing real demand for more joined up, preventative support centred around holistic, nature based activity. The people we are supporting face a wide range of challenges – from mental and physical health issues to addiction, loneliness, unemployment and caring responsibilities – and that diversity highlights the potential reach the Natural Health Service across services, and the importance of our landscapes as genuine health assets.
“North Yorkshire is leading the way in showing what a nature led model of health can look like, and the role protected landscapes can play in meeting the challenges people face today.”