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GSP Overview

Green Social Prescribing (GSP) is the practice of supporting people to engage in nature-based activities (NBHIs) to improve their mental and/or physical health as well as general well-being. National Academy for Prescribing. (opens in new tab)

There are a range of NBHIs that can be effective depending on the person’s circumstances and preferences. Some examples include horticulture and gardening groups; walking and other exercise groups in nature; talking therapies based outdoors; and even wild swimming for some is becoming popular.

There is mounting evidence to support GSP. It developed alongside social prescribing in the late nineties in New Zealand as an alternative to GPs prescribing medication, particularly for people with mental health problems.

Within a community setting, GSP is potentially beneficial for a wide range of health issues as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other treatment such as medication. It has commonly been used for:

  • Mental ill health (e.g., ranging from depression and anxiety)  

  • Mental wellbeing (e.g., loneliness and social isolation)

  • Happiness and overall wellbeing

  • Improving confidence and self-esteem

  • Physical problems such as diabetes, some musculoskeletal problems, high blood pressure, lung disease 

  • People living with multimorbidity (two or more long-term conditions)

The Deep Green project is focused on people aged 50 or over living in areas of high deprivation but this toolkit is usable for all adults aged 18 or over.

Please note. GSP is not intended to provide clinical support to individuals experiencing acute mental illness in mental health crisis or those with acute physical problems such inflammatory arthritis.