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WILDLIFE IN YOUR GARDEN: Using Nature to Boost Mental Health in the Heart of the West Midlands

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​28 October 2025
By James Hamilton

A lady smelling plum blossom at Elford Walled Gardens. Credit: Sam Turley (rspb-images.com)

​Healthcare professionals in the West Midlands are now using “Nature Prescriptions” to guide patients toward connecting with the natural world, whether that’s a local park, a garden, or even the view from their window.
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The RSPB’s Nature Prescriptions scheme recently reached a major milestone: 150 healthcare practitioners have been trained and equipped with resources to help their first 1,000 patients. While the project has been running nationally since 2018, this is the first time it has been rolled out across such a densely populated urban area.

​Funding from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery has made this larger-scale delivery possible, alongside a similar pilot in Cardiff — the first Nature Prescriptions project in Wales.

Nature Prescriptions give GPs and other healthcare professionals the tools to encourage patients to use nature in ways that suit them. It isn’t just about going for a walk; it’s about finding the type of nature connection that works best for each individual, even for people who struggle to leave their homes.
What sets this project apart from other green or social prescribing schemes is its focus on specialist training for healthcare professionals. Doctors and nurses don’t simply refer patients to a service — they are equipped to have meaningful conversations about how to use nature to support mental health. These nature connections complement any other treatments patients might need.

Trials in Scotland have already shown promising results. In a collaboration between RSPB Scotland and NHS Shetland, 74% of patients reported benefiting from their Nature Prescription, and 91% of prescribing professionals said they would continue offering the scheme.

In the West Midlands, the project has also explored new approaches, including options for house-bound patients and group settings. Courses have been developed and run at Recovery Colleges in Birmingham, Solihull, and the Black Country, helping people understand and manage their mental health while connecting with nature.
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Dr Amir Khan, RSPB President and NHS GP, spoke about the benefits of the scheme:
“As a GP, I’ve seen first-hand how beneficial time in nature can be. Nature Prescriptions empower healthcare professionals to guide patients toward meaningful connections with the natural world, improving wellbeing alongside any other care. Even a simple walk, listening to birdsong, or watching leaves flutter can have a profound effect on mental health. Just 10 to 15 minutes outdoors can lift your mood, reduce anxiety, and increase feelings of calm.”

For people like Jayne Ison from Edgbaston, Birmingham, Nature Prescriptions have been life-changing. Jayne has used nature to support her mental health, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. She now volunteers as an Expert by Experience at Recovery Colleges, helping others access Nature Prescriptions. “I was lucky to have a GP who encouraged me to use nature,” she says. “Getting that permission from a healthcare professional makes it feel important. Being involved with RSPB Nature Prescriptions has given me a way to help more people experience these benefits.”
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Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, added: “It’s exciting that Nature Prescriptions are coming to urban areas for the first time, and we’re delighted to support it thanks to our players.”

Alexis Johnson, who leads the project in the West Midlands, said: “You don’t need a nature reserve or even to go outdoors to connect with nature. With so many professionals trained, we’re looking forward to seeing more people from diverse backgrounds benefit from Nature Prescriptions.”
Across the UK, 26 RSPB Nature Prescription schemes are now operating, many independently after completing training.

​For more information, visit rspb.org.uk/natureprescriptions

Family enjoying a visit to RSPB Old Moor Nature Reserve. Credit: Gary Walsh (rspb-images.com)

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