The Green Health Hub’s first Connect and Learn event brought together more than 30 health professionals and activity groups supporting nature-based health and wellbeing in the New Forest.
Led by the New Forest NPA and registered Public Health Practitioner working for NHS England Phil Godfrey, Connect and Learn raised awareness of the Green Health Hub as an online directory for opportunities in nature and built connections between people along the green social prescribing pathway.
Referrers, commissioners, and providers including from the NHS, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, the Countryside Education Trust, and RSPB attended the event (3 March) to share evidence and experiences of nature’s role in addressing health inequalities.
Connect and Learn highlights included expert talks and resources from NHS England’s Phil Godfrey and PEDALL – New Forest Inclusive Cycling’s Shelley Filby as well as a guided mindfulness session in nature with My Mindful Self’s Amy Moore to experience nature connection first-hand.
Workshops explored best practices in embedding green social prescribing – an approach to improved mental and physical wellbeing through connections to nature – in daily work.
They also covered potential barriers and opportunities that might prevent people from utilising nature to improve health and wellbeing and support health equity in the National Park.
Key takeaways from the day will shape ongoing approaches to green social prescribing in the New Forest and ensure the National Park becomes a pillar of local healthcare.
These ranged from building sustainable networks and shaping resources to following a service-to-user-led approach by framing referrals as an ‘invitation to wellbeing’ rather than medical advice.
The Green Health Hub’s Connect and Learn event welcomed:
- Primary Care Network (PCN) social prescribers, link workers, and GP leads.
- NHS staff interested in prevention and non-clinical interventions.
- Voluntary, community, or social enterprise (VCSE) groups delivering or supporting nature-based activities.
- Public health teams and commissioners tackling health inequalities.
Registered Public Health Practitioner and NHS England Public Health Development Manager working on the Green Health Hub Phil Godfrey said:
‘Spending time in nature provides a vital reset for mental clarity and resilience, but it’s also a powerful tool for tackling health inequalities.
‘The Green Health Hub’s Connect and Learn event was about building our ‘Natural Health Service’ by bridging the gap between local health needs and the New Forest’s unique natural landscapes and opportunities.
‘Our goal is to ensure nature-based options are considered at every patient consultation, moving from simple signposting to active and supported referrals that can aid the health of the local area.’
My Mindful Self owner and New Forest NPA Education and Youth Officer Amy Moore said:
‘Providing the opportunity to step out from the event and spend time in nature was a big priority for us. We can talk about the power of nature, but it is far more powerful to experience it first-hand.
‘So often as practitioners we share how beneficial nature is for our wellbeing but miss the greatest benefits ourselves.
‘Participants were given ‘permission to be’ through gentle invitations using the senses, experiencing a ‘snapshot’ of forest bathing and nature connection, and its positive impacts on mind and body.’
New Forest NPA Access and Learning Manager Jim Mitchell said:
‘The first Connect and Learn event was a great success. We are keen to hear from groups and organisations who would like to hear more about the Green Health Hub, so that together we can help realise the natural health service in the New Forest.
‘We will be holding further events in the future and will be developing ways to help more people benefit from the wellbeing provided by nature.’
- Discover the Green Health Hub here.
