Green Social Prescribing (GSP) is the practice of connecting people to nature-based activities, such as community gardens, conservation projects, animal-assisted programmes and guided time outdoors, through social prescribing link workers, GPs and other health professionals. Instead of relying solely on medication or traditional clinical interventions, it offers people structured ways to spend time in nature, build relationships and regain confidence in everyday life.

Across the UK, there is growing recognition that time in nature is a powerful protective factor for mental and physical health. Evidence from national pilots and research programmes shows that nature-based activities can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve mood and sleep, increase levels of physical activity and strengthen social connections for people who may be feeling isolated or overwhelmed. For people living with long-term conditions, gentle outdoor activity and meaningful roles, such as caring for animals, growing food or supporting conservation, can help manage stress, improve resilience, and restore a sense of purpose. 

Creating Healing Environments 

In rural and semi-rural areas like north Oxfordshire, the natural environment is an enormous untapped asset. Farms, woodlands and community green spaces can become healing environments, especially when activities are co-designed with people who have lived experience of poor mental health or long-term conditions. Green Social Prescribing turns these places into structured, reliable opportunities that health professionals can confidently refer people to.

However, access to truly local, well-supported GSP offers is still patchy. Many programmes are short-term, project-funded, or based a long way from where people live. That means the people who might benefit the most, those with limited income, mobility issues, caring responsibilities or anxiety about travel, are often the ones least able to reach them.

We are developing a project that will respond directly to this gap by providing a consistent, specialist-supported Green Social Prescribing offer in the Oxford area. By working closely with GPs and social prescribing link workers, we can ensure that people who are struggling with their mental health, isolation or long-term conditions are actively connected to a safe, nature-rich place where they can rebuild confidence, community and wellbeing.

In short, Green Social Prescribing is important because it gives people something very simple and very human: structured, supported time in nature, with others, in a place that feels like it belongs to them.