The New Forest Health Hub has hosted its second Connect and Learn event, bringing together 30 health professionals and activity providers from the New Forest and surrounding areas. The event marked the relaunch of the Hub's website and encouraged attendees to join its network.
Led by the New Forest NPA, the Hub and Network aim to establish clear green social prescribing pathways. These pathways promote safe and confident referrals, both professional and self-referrals, to nature-based opportunities within the National Park and its environs. This initiative is supported by research indicating that engagement with green and blue spaces enhances physical and mental health and wellbeing.
The event on 1 October saw attendees including referrers, commissioners, and providers from the NHS, Hampshire County Council, and Flourish in Nature CIC. They participated in a workshop on future opportunities led by Phil Godfrey from PH Capability, and a mindfulness session in a nearby woodland guided by Amy Moore, NPA Education and Youth Officer and Director of My Mindful Self CIC.
Mandy Preece of Natural England presented new research from the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP), which informs updated Green Health Hub sign-up processes and clarifies expectations for potential participants. The relaunched website features improved usability, including filters for searching opportunities by 'access and facilities', 'interest', and 'location'.
Jim Mitchell, Access and Learning Manager at the New Forest NPA, highlighted the importance of green spaces as a 'Natural Health Service' and stated that the Green Health Network provides an opportunity for collaboration to improve health and wellbeing in the region. Phil Godfrey added that the event allows for sharing opportunities and experiences across the green social prescribing pathway, while also offering a moment of mindfulness in nature.
The Green Health Hub is an online directory managed by the New Forest NPA as part of its ‘For-Rest’ campaign. It signposts individuals to nature-, heritage-, and community-based activities that benefit health and wellbeing in the New Forest and surrounding areas. The Hub is a Green Halo project, representing the collective efforts of the Green Health Network.
