RSPB Nature Prescriptions Launched in Newport

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is proud to announce the official launch of RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Nature Prescriptions in Newport, the first time this innovative health and wellbeing initiative has been made available in Wales.

Developed in partnership with RSPB Cymru, Nature Prescriptions offer a free, accessible way for individuals to improve their health and wellbeing through simple, self- led activities that encourage deeper connections with nature. Whether undertaken alone or with others, these activities are designed to fit into everyday life and promote lasting wellbeing benefits.

The prescriptions can be offered by a range of trained health professionals, such as GPs, social prescribers, wellbeing connectors, occupational therapists, and community stroke support teams, making them a flexible addition to existing health and wellbeing support.

David Llewellyn, RSPB Cymru Nature and Wellbeing Manager, says:

“We are delighted to have worked successfully in partnership to develop the Newport Nature Prescription. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s Integrated Wellbeing Network team has played a key role in supporting this collective effort, and our other partners have proved invaluable.

Nature can be found everywhere in the city, and these prescriptions help people connect with it where they live. We would love to see nature as an important part of every health and wellbeing professional’s toolkit in the future. Evidence shows that connecting with nature can reduce stress, ease anxiety, and help people become more physically active.”

The initiative has been made possible thanks to funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by the Postcode Planet Trust. Newport’s Nature Prescription builds on the successful rollouts already seen in Scotland and England.

Victoria Dyer, Service Development Lead for the Integrated Wellbeing Network at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board added:

“Our role in the Integrated Wellbeing Network is to bring communities and services together to strengthen the health and wellbeing offer. This project is a perfect example of partnership working, with contributions from our talented community playing a vital role in the imagery for this nature prescription. We thank the RSPB for the opportunity and are proud to bring this resource to Newport. We hope many people will benefit from it.”

For more information about RSPB Nature Prescriptions, visit: www.rspb.org.uk/natureprescriptions