A dose of the great outdoors: nature prescriptions on the NHS

How did you get involved in nature prescriptions?

I was looking after my parents-in-law, both of whom had dementia. As anybody that’s looking after people with dementia knows – it can affect you in the biggest way. I felt I had no life, and it got to the point where I made myself ill; I felt like running away. I wasn’t eating, I wasn’t sleeping – I was just constantly looking after them. So in 2023, I went to the GP at Kingussie Medical Practice for support. They were brilliant and offered me a nature prescription.

Once you had the prescription, what happened next?

I was given a leaflet which tells you all about nature prescriptions and gives a number to call – it took a bit of courage to do it, but I spoke to [Cairngorms 2030 Green Health Link Worker] Louise and she was very supportive and understanding. We talked through what I liked, what I didn’t like, she found me activities in nature that were suited to me, and I chose Health Walks.

When I went along to my first Health walk, it was very daunting, but it was a steady walk and a natter, and we were all friends within five minutes. They were ever so welcoming. That was two years ago now, and every week I look forward to my walks on a Wednesday and Thursday in Kingussie and Newtonmore. We go at everybody’s pace, that’s what I like about it – we’re not climbing mountains, it’s for everyone.

• Caron Dawson, second from right, with fellow Health walkers in Newtonmore. Bruce Mackenzie

  

  
• A recent Health walk in Newtonmore. Caron Dawson

  

  
• Nature prescription participant Caron Dawson on a Health walk in Newtonmore Bruce Mackenzie

  

  

How have Health walks helped you?

They’ve made me healthier, and not as anxious. To be in beautiful scenery – sometimes you just get lost in it, when you’re not talking, just taking it in. You get this lovely feeling, I can’t describe it. Everything is falling back into place, and it’s because of this. It’s only a couple of hours a week but it’s amazing. It gave me an outlet for stress relief – it’s marvellous. Even though everything has changed in my life as my in-laws have since passed on, I still go because that’s what I want to do. It’s been life changing – it gave me that sense of freedom for a couple of hours.

Has this experience changed your perception of what prescriptions can be used for?

Yes, I didn’t even know nature prescriptions existed until I went to the GP – but they’re out there, and people need to know that. For anyone who’s interested, I would just say to your doctor, ‘I’ve heard about nature prescriptions – can I have one?’. It’s so good that there’s support for someone to talk through what’s available. It’s a lifeline if you’re struggling in any way. It helps you get through whatever is going on in your life.

I’d say just come along to a Health walk – you’ll see a difference in a couple of weeks. They just welcome you in and we end up having a really good laugh and a natter walking around. There are people of all ages, they’re getting company, they’re getting exercise, that’s maybe something that might have been lacking before.