Investigating the contextual factors and mechanisms associated with implementing Blue Prescription Programmes in health and social care settings: a systematic review using realist synthesis

Alejandre, Julius Cesar; Chastin, Sébastien; Irvine, Katherine N.; Georgiou, Michail; Khanna, Preeti; Tieges, Zoë; Smith, Niamh; Chong, Yong-Yee; Onagan, Frances Claire; Price, Lesley; Pfleger, Sharon; Helliwell, Rachel; Singleton, Judith; Estandarte, Allan; Smith, Emily Sophia; Curran, S.C.; Helwig, Karin

doi:10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00271-6

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Based on their interests and health goals, the service user can then access one of over 60 local nature-based community activities (Marx & More, 2022). Blue spaces (Box 1) are also being used for NBSP, with activities including surfing, kayaking, and canoeing (25). In England, the Blue Prescribing Project, which is run by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and The Mental Health Foundation, provides structured wetland experiences for individuals experiencing mental health problems (50)(51)(52).…”

Section: Current Implementation Of Nature-based Social Prescribing Pr...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Social prescribing is a process through which service users with an identified health and/or social care need are connected from a healthcare or community setting to non-clinical services, with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing and strengthening their community connections. This social prescription is co-produced by the service user and the person who connects them with the non-clinical service (11,25). Non-clinical services are commonly delivered by voluntary sector or community-based organisations and include a range of activities (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nature-based social prescribing programmes: opportunities, challenges, and facilitators for implementation

de Bell,

Alejandre,

Menzel

et al. 2023

Preprint

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BackgroundEvidence on the health benefits of spending time in nature has highlighted the importance of provision of blue and green spaces in people’s living environments. The potential for health benefits offered by nature exposure, however, extends beyond health promotion to health treatment. Social prescribing links people with health or social care needs to community-based, non-clinical health and social care interventions. The aim is to improve health and wellbeing. Nature-based social prescribing (NBSP) is a variant which uses the health-promoting benefits of activities carried out in natural environments, such as gardening and conservation volunteering. Much of current NBSP practice has been developed in the UK and there is increasing global interest in its implementation. This requires interventions to be adapted for different contexts, considering the needs of populations and the structure of healthcare systems.MethodsThis paper presents results from an expert group participatory workshop involving 29 practitioners, researchers, and policymakers from the UK and Germany’s health and environmental sectors. Using the UK and Germany, two countries with different healthcare systems and in different developmental stages of NBSP practice as case studies, we analysed opportunities, challenges, and facilitators for the development and implementation of NBSP.ResultsWe identified five overarching themes for developing, implementing, and evaluating NBSP: Capacity Building; Universal Accessibility; Embedded and Integrated Networks and Collaborations; Standardised Implementation and Evaluation; and Sustainability. We also discuss key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (i.e., a SWOT analysis) for each overarching theme to understand how they could be developed to support NBSP implementation.ConclusionsNBSP could offer significant public health benefits using available blue and green spaces. We offer guidance on how NBSP implementation, from wider policy support to the design and evaluation of individual programmes, could be adapted to different contexts. This research could help inform the development and evaluation of NBSP programmes to support planetary health from local and global scales.

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Section: Current Implementation Of Nature-based Social Prescribing Pr...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-based social prescribing programmes: opportunities, challenges, and facilitators for implementation

de Bell,

Alejandre,

Menzel

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

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The motivations, interests and concerns of prospective peer leaders of nature-based mental health interventions

Reeves,

Freeman,

Patel-Calverley

et al. 2024

Preprint

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BackgroundThere is renewed, cross-sectoral interest in nature's contributions to health and how they can be maximised for public and planetary health. Current enquiry is focused on practicalities and what strategies and collaborations are needed to operationalise the nature-health relationship for both people and the environment. Nature-based health interventions (NBIs), especially those within the framework of nature-based social prescribing (NBSP), show promise. However, in the UK, there are limitations to initiating and scaling activities due to issues like: navigating multi-stakeholder partnerships, building a work force and sustaining the provision. The short ‘course’, finite format of NBSP programmes also creates a ‘what next’ moment for participants despite willingness and interest from many participants in peer leadership type activity i.e. offering social support and leadership to help others in their community to partake in nature-based health activities. Aim: To explore peer-led community delivery options for NBIs with prospective peer leaders. Method: We recruited seventeen study participants for a daylong workshop exploring motivations, activities and perceived challenges of prospective peer leaders of NBIs. The study participants had a) been through, or supported delivery/participation of, a UK wetland-based NBSP programme for poor mental health and b) expressed an interest in peer leadership activities. The data underwent reflexive thematic analysis. Results.Motivations of prospective peer leaders to offer nature-based health activities related to the promotion of personal and community wellbeing through learning, sharing nature experiences, creating social connections, and through interests in facilitating a wide range of nature-based and salutogenic activities (e.g. arts/creative, conservation, nature appreciation, mental wellbeing activities). Concerns from peer leaders centred on the practicalities of establishing and safely delivering nature-based activity, on the personal competencies required to deliver NBIs, nervousness with the medicalised nature of social prescribing, and on resource needs for delivery; the latter highlighted the importance of local nature provision for community-led NBI delivery. Conclusions: Community-led NBIs offer potential to broaden public health options, but community concerns need to be addressed first. There is a role for allied NGO organisations, or social prescribing networks, to share resources and support communities and prospective peer leaders to overcome these concerns.

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Investigating the contextual factors and mechanisms associated with implementing Blue Prescription Programmes in health and social care settings: a systematic review using realist synthesis

Cited by 2 publications

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Nature-based social prescribing programmes: opportunities, challenges, and facilitators for implementation

Nature-based social prescribing programmes: opportunities, challenges, and facilitators for implementation

The motivations, interests and concerns of prospective peer leaders of nature-based mental health interventions

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