We recently had the pleasure of hosting a special event which saw the Cornwall Social Prescribing Network come together in our urban greenspace. The aim of the day was to share ideas, inspire and plan how to champion social and nature prescription across Cornwall.
Over 60 members of the social prescribing network, plus GPs and representatives from partner organisations, came to launch the Cornwall Council funded Injection of Nature campaign here at the orchard.
The newly announced project will see organisations from across Cornwall working together to highlight the strengths of social prescribing in a natural setting. We want to convey how spending time with others in nature is proven to boost health benefits of social prescribing even further, and lead the way when it comes to alleviating pressure on the NHS through nature prescription.
What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing is a tool that health practitioners use to help people access wellbeing support through non-clinical services. Often used to reduce loneliness and build self-assurance, social prescribing is now being combined with nature prescription to connect people with each other and the natural world that surrounds them.
Included in the day’s agenda, compered by Volunteer Cornwall, was a tour of the Newquay Orchard 7-acre greenspace, breakout activities lead by partners including Eden Project, Chaos and Cornwall Wildlife Trust, a talk from Cornwall Council representatives and a discussion focusing on the G7 legacy project and what this means for the future of healthcare in Cornwall.
The day ended with a talk from Volunteer Cornwall Climate and Ecological Emergency Lead Manda Brookman. Manda is working with groups across the voluntary and community sector to ensure it takes a leading role on the climate and ecological emergency.
Manda said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for everyone to see, close up and personal, the deep connections between human, and planetary health. What’s good for us is good for the planet and connecting ourselves to the creation and nurture of good food, good spaces, and good company, contribute to our ability to thrive on a healthy planet.”
“The perfect antidote to the climate crisis is by taking positive action like this! Newquay Orchard is a living example of that active connection, and Volunteer Cornwall is delighted to be working with so many inventive and courageous community sector organisations leading the way forward to a fair and just future that includes everyone, not just the few,” she added.
Jen Andrews, Head of Social Innovations at Newquay Orchard, was delighted to welcome guests to the event and opened with an introduction to the orchard. She talked about Newquay Orchard’s past, present and our future vision of it being an essential platform for social and prescription in the Newquay area.
Jen said: “The Cornwall Social Prescribing network is making important developments that are improving our collective wellbeing and taking pressure off the NHS. Cornwall Council’s support, with the Injection of Nature project, is ensuring that social prescribing and nature prescription can nurture our wellbeing and mental health long into the future whilst fostering a collective ambition for environmental protection.”
“Here at Newquay Orchard we understand it’s in our nature to worry or lose confidence in ourselves sometimes; but together we can learn to overcome these feelings. By making new friends and spending time outdoors at we can reconnect with our environment and each other,” she added.
Cornwall’s social prescribing network brings together Volunteer Cornwall, The Eden Project, CHAOS Farm, Nature Connects, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Battling On and Newquay Orchard. All of the organisations are taking part in the Injection of Nature project to combine social prescribing and nature.
Jen concluded: “This was a big day for the Orchard and our partners – and a big, positive discussion about the huge changes we can make.”
The Injection of Nature project is funded by Cornwall Council Public Health COMF (Contain Outbreak Management Fund).
