Page 9 - Natural World Spring 2017
P. 9
bbeetttteerr oinustisdidee
Research continues to show that being active in nature helps us all to grow, live and
age well. And that means green environments can help reduce the strain on the NHS
People in the UK are living LONDON WT which runs outreach support to
longer. On the face of it, this a care home next to the Skylarks
is good news. This rise in life At London Wildlife Trust’s Potted reserve. “Skylarks is such a beautiful
expectancy, however, is not matched History project, social gardening reserve, and it’s on the doorstep
by equivalent levels of good health. fulfils all five ‘Ways to Wellbeing’ of the care home. When mobility
For many, it means spending their prevents us from getting outside, we
later years in ill-health and loneliness. being outside,” reports one. “Since hold wildlife quizzes and activities –
coming here I’ve managed to give but the overriding thing for me is the
This is a huge challenge for our up smoking,” says another. “I was social aspect.”
local and national health services. depressed, but now I really look
For example, research by Holt- forward to coming here.” The Health and Social Care Act
Lunstad (2015), shows that being 2012 gave local authorities new
lonely is as damaging to our health Comments like these, alongside responsibilities to improve the health
as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. of their populations, and reduce
Participants health inequalities. Improving access
Fortunately, many studies show are happy to green space is probably the most
that accessible green spaces can to interact e ective way they can achieve these
work well as social connectors. Quite with others objectives.
simply, they can cut the social and
economic costs of ageing alone. other feedback, shows that the Help spread the word
London Wildlife Trust project has
One solution for both problems reduced social isolation. It has given Could you display a poster that
is London Wildlife Trust’s Potted people a regular opportunity to shows the benefits of contact with
History project – a programme of get out of the house, learn new nature? The more people who
nature-based activities that works things and interact with others. The participate in our Natural Health
with older people in the community experience of being outdoors in Service, the better. Order your
and in care settings. Each week, a nature has also improved their mood poster at:
group meets in Peckham where and happiness. wildlifetrusts.org/wellbeing
participants grow herbs, fruit and
vegetables in raised beds, observe Meanwhile, in the Midlands, a
the wildlife of the garden and create second Wildlife Trust project caters
art and craft inspired by nature. for more vulnerable people who
cannot get outside. “We try to
The activities act as prompts for bring nature to them as best we
memories, and participants share can,” explains Angie, a volunteer
their experiences, knowledge for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust,
and thoughts with others –
including recipes, gardening
tips and jars of homemade
chutney.
The e ect has been
extraordinarily positive.
Participants are happy
to get out of the house,
learn new things and
interact with others.
“I was really anxious
before coming today,
but now I feel really
relaxed. It’s nice
SPRING 2017 NATURAL WORLD 9
