A new directory of nature-based activity providers and green spaces in Rushcliffe is now available to encourage more people to explore local nature and improve their mental and physical health.
The Rushcliffe Big Green Book gives a wealth of local contacts and information to help groups and individuals find great new health and wellbeing opportunities on their doorstep in the Borough.
To view the latest version, visit www.rushcliffehealth.org/green-book.
It gives details of activities such as walking and exercise groups, coffee meetups, wildlife and environmental links, gardening, allotment, food sharing and leisure opportunities at local waterways, parks and open spaces.
The Big Green Book will be updated every quarter with the next edition available in October 2023.
The concept has also been designed to be used by social prescribers and healthcare workers who want to find activities for their patients, as well as individuals who are looking for local community groups to get involved in.
The book is delivered in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council, Rushcliffe Primary Care Network and the Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service (NCVS). It sets out local activities and groups across the Borough to help people choose an activity that’s local and easily accessible to them.
It’s been developed as part of the GreenSpace Green Social Prescribing Project that focuses on improving people’s mental health, in line with the national Green Social Prescribing initiative.
Green Social Prescribing provides a way of connecting people to nature-based activities and green groups, projects and schemes in their local community for support with health and wellbeing.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Leisure and Wellbeing Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, said: “We’re pleased that the Rushcliffe Big Green Book is now live and ready to be used and shared across the Borough.
“It’s a useful resource for social prescribers, healthcare workers and individuals who are looking for friendly groups to join and take part in free outdoor activities that support mental health and wellbeing.
“The book also supports Rushcliffe in working towards becoming a Dementia Friendly Borough by encouraging providers to obtain the ‘Dementia Friendly’ badge.
“This helps raise awareness of dementia and reduce barriers for people in local communities who are living with dementia.
“A special thanks goes to NCVS, who are leading the GreenSpace programme, for all their hard work on the Rushcliffe Big Green Book.”
Rushcliffe Social Prescribing Team Lead Morgan Sharpe added: “The social prescribers are looking forward to using the Big Green Book to support our work with residents and enable people to connect with nature and boost their health and wellbeing.”
If you have any questions on the Big Green Book, partnership work or sponsor opportunities, please email rushcliffebiggreenbook@gmail.com.