Just what the doctor ordered! Sheffield communities to benefit from ‘green prescriptions’ - Peak District National Park Foundation
More people living in north Sheffield will be able to experience the benefits of the outdoors, thanks to funding secured by the Peak District National Park Foundation.
A series of health-boosting activities will be developed with communities in north east Sheffield as a result of the £8,900 awarded by the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw ICS Green Social Prescribing Grants Programme
Community based organisation SOAR is working with the Foundation to pilot ‘Peak Park Prescriptions’ – aiming to remove barriers which prevent people in areas of high deprivation from visiting the National Park.
The project will help to improve physical and mental health and general wellbeing by making it easier for people to explore the Peak District, supported by National Park rangers.
SOAR, which provides services to improve health, well-being and employability, will work with communities to develop activities for rangers to deliver in the National Park. The project will also include transport to connect communities with nature in the Peak District
Foundation manager Sarah Slowther says: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this funding to pilot Green Social Prescribing. SOAR has an excellent track record in community engagement, health and wellbeing, which will help us to connect communities to the wellbeing benefits of nature. The range of activities offered will be developed with the community and may include mindfulness walks in the stunning National Park landscapes as well as map reading and navigation skills and practical conservation tasks, including tree planting or footpath restoration. We believe passionately in a National Park enjoyed and conserved by everyone. This project will enable us to improve wellbeing through connection to nature and build a greater understanding of the importance of the natural world for people, for climate and for wildlife. A third of the city of Sheffield falls within the National Park boundary and Sheffield is known as the Outdoor City, yet not everyone feels welcome or confident enjoying the Peak District. This project enables us to test new approaches to wellbeing and develop these with north east Sheffield communities.”
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Posted On: 01/02/2022