A Natural Health Service for North Yorkshire
The UK’s first protected landscape–led Natural Health Service.
A green social prescribing programme helping people to live healthier, more active and connected lives through a connection with nature and the region’s National Parks and Landscapes.
The programme is delivered by the North York Moors Trust, North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Howardian Hills National Landscape and Nidderdale National Landscape.
The programme offers a structured and practical approach to connecting people with nature.
This includes a 10-week programme of guided outdoor sessions, using sensory and hands-on activities to support health and wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and help people to become more active.
Participants develop personalised “Nature Plans”, setting out simple steps to stay connected with nature and link into local community activity beyond the programme.
Alongside this, the programme provides training and engagement for professionals across sectors, building knowledge and confidence to use nature as a health asset in prevention, treatment and recovery.
The programme builds on successful regional pilots, including Nature Prescriptions and Growing Green and Blue Health, and is supported by strong evidence showing that time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, support physical health and build confidence.
It also demonstrates a cost-effective approach to reducing demand on health and other public services.
Covering almost half the region, North Yorkshire’s protected landscapes are uniquely placed to support this work and demonstrate the role that nature can play in improving health and wellbeing.
The programme is currently in delivery, with participants taking part in the 10-week intervention and professionals across multiple sectors engaging in training and referral pathways. Monitoring and evaluation is ongoing to understand outcomes, demand and future potential.
Backed by £100,000 funding from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, this forms part of Mayor David Skaith’s Moving Forward campaign. A £7million investment to create healthy and thriving communities.
The pilot is due to complete at the end of March 2026. The final report produced by independent evaluators will be published in May 2026.
The programme is led by the North York Moors Trust and delivered in partnership with the North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, Howardian Hills National Landscape, and Nidderdale National Landscape. The independent evaluators are York St John University.
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