There has been a significant decline in the amount of time children and young people spend playing outside, and alongside this we have seen declines in mental and physical health. Access to, and relationships with nature can play an important role in addressing these challenges.
In some places there is a huge disconnect with young people and the outdoors - in urban areas there may be a lack of high-quality outdoor spaces, whilst in rural areas, access may be an issue, but both mean young people are growing up with a lack of experience in engaging with nature.
Here at Natural England, we are working to tackle barriers to people’s enjoyment, engagement and connection to the natural world. We seek to understand how and why there are difficulties in accessing green and blue spaces – that is, parks, rivers, waterways and so on – and how these difficulties can be overcome. By working with partners, we are reaching some of the most deprived areas of the country, finding ways to support them in fostering relationships with the natural world.
Its not quite as simple as urban = bad, in many urban areas access is actually better and people are often more appreciative of pockets of nature.
In Cumbria, for instance, the health and wellbeing of young people has become a huge priority for local authorities, the NHS and schools across the region. Self-harm and suicide rates are amongst the highest in the country, with little support available and long waiting lists for mental health support referrals. Lack of accessible countryside, especially by public transport, on a local and doorstep level and financial challenges are among some of the significant barriers that prevent many young people from accessing green and blue spaces where they can experience nature and the benefits of spending time outdoors.
It is a well-evidence fact that being in nature benefits both mental and physical health, with many reports and research findings detailing the significant improvements to people’s lives when spending even short amounts of time outside. For example, 88% of children and young people surveyed within the 2023 Children’s, ‘People & Nature Survey,’ agreed with the statement that ‘being in nature makes me very happy’.
In late November last year, the Natural England Cumbria area team resolved to support a key organisation in the region - Barnardo’s - which helps young people through mental health support and intervention, with one of their key projects. Barnardo’s, as a national charity, believes in creating “a world in which no child is turned away from the help they need”. Since Natural England’s own mission to connect children with nature strongly aligns with that aim, we agreed to offer training to their front-line staff.
As Barnardo’s presence across Cumbria is well established, the concept behind this training was to create a regional cohort of champions to advocate for Green Social Prescribing and nature-based intervention for young people. This group will support the future growth of Nature Connectedness across their networks, creating a ripple effect and supporting more young people in connecting with nature.
This training project was a fantastic opportunity to align with national NHS priorities to ease the strains young people in Cumbria are now facing. The Northeast & North Cumbria NHS Trust has invested in a pilot project to address these needs and has funded Barnardo’s to host 14 Young People’s Social Prescribing link workers in the north of the county, working in the newly created Cumbria LINK service. This program is also supported by Edge Hill University, and the intention is to roll out the scheme nationally.
Becky Seaton, Young People's Social Prescribing Link Worker at Barnardo's Cumbria LINK Service, who attended both days said:
“I feel that the NatureWell training has not only enhanced my skills as a practitioner and given me the knowledge and confidence to bring nature into my practice, but it has made me truly and consciously realise the power of nature on wellbeing.
Being able to bring nature-based interventions into my everyday practice with the children and young people will help them feel incredible too – the impact it's going to have will be powerful and nature can really help our young people to take control of and support their own wellbeing!”
The Cumbria Area Team will continue to work with Barnardo’s, the NHS and other organisations who support young people across the region. Through this work, we aim to embed a greater connection to nature for the young people of Cumbria, so those in most need can improve their health and wellbeing through connection to the natural environment and empower friends and family to do the same.
To find out more about the work being done in Cumbria with the Young People’s Social Prescribing Service, follow the below link:
Cumbria LINK - Young People’s Social Prescribing Service | Barnardo's (barnardos.org.uk)