Diverse and accessible green space and countryside is beneficial for the health of individuals and communities, it benefits us physically, mentally and emotionally.
This may appear obvious, but the rapid pace of change in recent decades has resulted in increasingly urban living and sedentary lifestyles. The lack of physical activity in children and young people has been identified as one of the key threats to the long-term health of the population.
One of the challenges for policy makers is to provide for greater access to the natural environment to help foster long-term health and well being. This is recognised within the health profession by bodies such as the NHS and NICE (National Health Service, National Institute Clinical Excellence) and within the biodiversity sector by local authorities, Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the RSPB, for example:
“Growing medical evidence shows that access to the natural environment improves health and wellbeing, prevents disease and helps people recover from illness. Experiencing nature in the outdoors can help tackle childhood obesity, coronary heart disease, stress and mental health problems.” Natural England’s Health Campaign.

While joined-up policy is being investigated at the national level, regional strategies have recognised the importance of the issues; the South East England regional Health and Wellbeing, Economic and Sustainable Development strategies all stress the importance of a high quality sustainable natural environment that is accessible to all and supports economic and social activity. They recognise that our health and wellbeing is dependent upon our environment:
“This strategy takes as its starting point that good health depends on ... environmental factors such as an accessible natural environment“. South East England Health Strategy.

While the national and regional background is important to drive policy, joined-up working is best done at local level, where practitioners are discovering what works and considering what could be done in the future. To help drive these issues forward as part of Hampshire County Council’s Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan, the Ecology Group has commissioned Terra Consult to review the current provision of initiatives and schemes in Hampshire that enhance people’s health and wellbeing through contact with the natural environment. This initial audit will assess the current level of provision of initiatives and schemes that specifically link nature and health.
The work will focus upon gathering information on current schemes and initiatives from a range of relevant organisations and by conducting interviews to gain a deeper understanding of what is being done locally.
The project team will also be holding a workshop to bring together some of those working on nature and health related projects to exchange ideas and experiences, and to explore gaps in provision, challenges and opportunities within the county.
Project objectives
•       To audit current provision of initiatives and schemes in Hampshire
•       To identify examples of good practice in Hampshire (and elsewhere)
•       To gain an understanding of gaps in provision and opportunities for new initiatives in Hampshire
•       To identify the best means of sharing and signposting information for relevant sectors.

By identifying gaps and opportunities, the audit will provide a basis for further work. It will also offer an opportunity for building a network of provision and providers.