Rewylding CIC

A review of nature-based interventions for mental health care – was commissioned by Natural England and written by Dr Rachel Bragg and Gavin Atkins. It has been used to inform expansion of Green Social Prescribing in the UK. It centres it’s focus on the three largest and most commonly occurring forms of green care – social and therapeutic horticulture, environmental conservation
interventions and care farming. And also focuses on nature-based
interventions where improving an individual’s mental health was a primary goal of the service and where services were treatment for people with an existing mental health problem.

This review cites other studies which support the knowing that spending time in nature, participating in nature based activities and including ‘green care’ into care plans does benefit recovery and wellness. It also seeks to clearly define the differences between ‘green care’ and other interventions such as ‘nature based projects in health promotion’. Having more clearly defined and consistently used language is sought to promote the sector and present a clear message to commissioners.

How Does This Inform Our Work at Rewylding?

This review can be used as another signpost that there is government recognised, supporting evidence for the value of our work, it further highlights the importance of access to nature and nature based activities for supporting good mental health. It also helps us to ensure we are using the correct language to define what we offer and how we operate. We currently fall under the ‘nature based projects in health promotion’ for the general public. Which unless we start developing plans to work with specific groups such as the NHS is where we are likely to stay. That is not to say we are ruling it out but more training would be required before we would be able to transition into ‘green care providers’.

Some of the more interesting statistics and details from the review are:

The burden of mental illness in the UK

• At least 1 in 4 individuals are affected in any one year
• 1 in 10 children and young people aged 5-15 yrs suffer from a mental disorder
• Instances of common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety in people aged 6-64 yrs
  rose from 15.5% in 1993 to 17.6% in 2007
• Numbers of people participating in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services in
  the UK have increased from 182,000 in 2009/10 to 950,000 in 2013/14
• There was a 165% increase in the prescribing of antidepressant drugs in England between 1998
  and 2012 – an average increase in items prescribed of 7.2% p.a.
• £53.6 billion represents the human cost of mental illness due to reduced quality of life, suffering,
  pain, disability and distress
• £30.3 billion is the cost of output losses in the economy due to peoples inability to work
• £21.3 billion is the annual cost of health and social care provided by the NHS and Local
  Authorities and informal care given by family and friends
• £1.9 billion is spent on GP consultations yearly
• £1.2 billion per year is spent on drug prescriptions

Sources: Mental Health Foundation, 2013 (points 1 – 2); NHS Information Centre, 2009 (3); NHS Choices, 2013
and Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2015a (4); The Health Foundation and the Nuffield Trust,
(Spence et al.) 2014 (5); Centre for Mental Health, 2010 (6-8); The Centre for Economic Performance, 2012 (

These stats highlight the need for government to take mental health and alternative provisions to improving and caring for mental health seriously. If that needs to be laid out in terms of cost to the economy then, here it is. We are a human centred company and are powered by wanting to ease suffering and promote wellbeing, if that leads to saving money in budgets so that it can be used elsewhere that is also lovely.

The mental health benefits for social and therapeutic horticulture, environmental conservation
interventions and care farming were similar and include:
o Psychological restoration and increased general mental wellbeing
o Reduction in depression, anxiety and stress related symptoms
o Improvement in dementia-related symptoms
o Improved self-esteem, confidence and mood
o Increased attentional capacity and cognition
o Improved happiness, satisfaction and quality of life
o Sense of peace, calm or relaxation
o Feelings of safety and security
o Increased social contact, inclusion and sense of belonging
o Increase in work skills, meaningful activity and personal achievement.

Though these benefits are found in the study of those big three provisions it is safe to say they are benefits from the other categories as well, including our offering. Our own internal surveys also confirm this. As this page grows and I add more pieces to it, I am sure that will become increasingly evident.

The reading of this document is pretty laborious but it is a good reference for those working in the sector and felt important to include here. As Rewylding continues to grow and expand, we have these findings to lean on as evidence for the value of our work but of course the best way to find our is to experience for yourself. Why not sign up to one of our groups our events and find out.

Much Love,

Kate Goth

Founder and Director