Nature for Health and Wellbeing Across Cheshire
Nature for Health and Wellbeing Across Cheshire
Most of the population, 77% but rapidly increasing, now live in urban areas. They don’t rely on the immediate ecosystem around them but on complex and industrialised processes to provide for their daily needs. People spend 90% of their time indoors in artificial, temperature-controlled environments. Their lives are devoid of natural cycles, birdsong, bubbling streams and the freshest air. Even people living in rural areas are not immune to the disconnecting effects of increasingly technology-mediated, busy modern life.
There is a wealth of research that illustrates how disconnection from nature is linked to mental and physical illness, from anxiety, depression and poor body image to heart disease, fatigue and lowered life expectancy. Nature-deficit disorder is a recognised condition in children, which has been identified as a contributor to obesity, depression, ADHD, behavioural problems and lowered cognitive ability.
Communities that are disconnected from nature show higher levels of conflict, violence, crime and racial tension. On a societal level, a culture of disconnection feeds an alienated consumer culture and the continued over-exploitation of nature required to fuel it.
People who are less connected to nature are less likely to take positive action, whether they are an average citizen making lifestyle choices or a top politician making policies.
Cheshire’s Natural Health Service (co-ordinated by Mersey Forest) is an initiative that utilizes the green and natural spaces in the west of Cheshire to address local health inequalities. It builds upon the growing evidence that activities in natural environments can significantly impact both physical and mental well-being.
The program offers health-promoting group activities within beautiful green areas. These sessions are designed to be welcoming to beginners and are targeted at both adults and children. Some of the activities include:
- HEALTH WALKS
- HORTICULTURAL THERAPY
- MINDFUL CONTACT WITH NATURE
- FOREST SCHOOLS
- HEALTHY CONSERVATION
Not only do these activities help people with their physical and mental health, but to connect with others in their community and learn new skills. Forest Schools is particularly effective as a catalyst to improve attention, academic attainment and confidence, building a valuable relationship between individuals and nature at an early age, that they can benefit from for the rest of their lives, whether or not similar encouragement or opportunities are provided outside of the school environment.
Cheshire West and Chester Council co-ordinate a network of over 30 Ramblers ‘Wellbeing Walks’, run with the help of many partners and volunteer walk leaders, serving over 300 people every week. They also support schools, helping them see the benefits of integrating Forest School and outdoor learning, providing healthy conservation sessions to support communities to develop their own hedgerow laying skills, create and manage community orchards, plant new woodlands, restore ponds and other habitats.
Everybody, Cheshire East’s Leisure Services run a variety of activities to help people connect with nature through their friendly, welcoming groups to build your confidence, help people meet others locally, discover different interests, practice mindfulness, learn new skills and give back to their local community and nature!
Green Spaces for Wellbeing • Everybody Health and Leisure include activities such as mindful art, mindfulness, buggy walks, Ramblers ‘Wellbeing Walks’, habitat management, creative connections and wellbeing garden and grow.
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