Therapeutic horticulture, care farming, community garden and nature-based groups in the county want to create a Green Care Network that will heighten awareness of what they offer to GPs and clinical commissioners.
It is envisaged the initiative could signpost opportunities for individuals looking to move to the next stage of their recovery journeys through Green Care.
Carlyn Kilpatrick, of the Nurture Project at Kettlestone, and Nigel Boldero, (pictured above) who has been involved in various community gardening projects, are heading efforts to create the Norfolk network.
I firmly believe that Green Care projects and services have a massive role to play
Nigel Boldero
Nigel said: 'We are all conscious of how “all things green” have become so much more important for so many people over the last few months, and the profile of the natural world and our part in it have become more prominent.
'As we face another period where many people may find themselves in restricted circumstances, and with the prospect of considerable unemployment and rising mental health issues, I firmly believe that Green Care projects and services have a massive role to play and am committed to helping them through the formation of the network.’
It is hoped the hub could also share expertise, resources and ideas between members, potentially via an online platform that would be accessible to the 150+ people and projects already interested in the network. Project collaboration, training and promoting research could also become areas of mutual support and development.
Anyone interested in finding out more, should contact Nigel by emailing nbold@live.com
Maintaining wellbeing through digital community
The Green Minds project is a community ecotherapy service in Wales. Jess Tanner, the project's co-lead, reports on how it is adapting digitally to Covid-19.
Find out more