The natural world is the foundation of our health, wellbeing and prosperity
Evidence shows that a thriving, wildlife-rich environment benefits both physical and mental health. People with nature on their doorstep are more active, mentally resilient and have better all-round health. Every day, we are working to bring wildlife to more people, and more people to wildlife. Get involved and make socialising, volunteering and exercise in natural places central to your daily life.
A study of Wildlife Trust volunteers showed that 95% of participants with low mental wellbeing at the start of volunteering reported an improvement in 6 weeks
What The Wildlife Trusts are doing
Daily contact with nature is linked to better health, reduced levels of chronic stress, reductions in obesity and improved concentration. The Wildlife Trusts are rooted in local communities and neighbourhoods, so we can help more people access local nature spots. Wildlife Trusts work in partnership with health and social care organisations, to increase their reach, and better help the people they work with.
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We run projects up and down the country helping people improve the health
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We look after nature reserves for people to visit and take exercise without knowing it
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We help businesses and their employees improve their health and wellbeing
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We continue to build the evidence that contact with wildlife is good for human health
Natural ways to wellbeing with Dr Amir Khan
Seeing birds near our homes, walking through green spaces filled with wild flowers, and along rivers that are clean and clear reduces stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression
Wildlife Trusts activities that improve your health and wellbeing
The Wildlife Trusts run a huge range of activities. What unites them is that they help to improve people’s physical health and mental wellbeing. They are also great ways to mix with people from all backgrounds and ages. Find your closest Wildlife Trust below to find out about the wellbeing projects happening near you.
North
Lancashire Wildlife Trust's MyPlace
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust - Sensing the Wild and Life Skills
Sheffield Wildlife Trust's Wild At Heart
Durham Wildlife Trust's Naturally Social
Cheshire Wildlife Trust's Wild Wellbeing and Go Wild Get Fit
South
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's Woodland Therapy
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Wellbeing Programme
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust
Kent Wildlife Trust's Take Root
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust's Engaging with Nature
Dorset Wildlife Trust's Greengage and Natural Sparkle
Essex Wildlife Trust's Wellbeing walks
Avon Wildlife Trust's Wellbeing with Nature
Midlands
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s The Environment and Me
Shropshire Wildlife Trust's Live well with nature
The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country health & wellbeing in nature
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust's Orchard Origins, The Queenswood Wellbeing Garden and Building Better Opportunities
“Volunteering at the reserve helps me keep fit and meet new people and it’s also great to see so much wildlife.”
A Natural Approach to Health Works
In 2019, Leeds Beckett University undertook a Social Return on Investment analysis of Wildlife Trust programmes. They found that: Targeted programmes designed for people with a health or social need, showed a return of £6.88 for every £1 invested. This value was generated from health gains such as improved mental wellbeing. For those attending general volunteering programmes, the value was even higher with a return of £8.50 for every £1 invested. The research showed a range of benefits, such as increased feelings of positivity and levels of physical activity.
Prior to this, an evaluation of the health and wellbeing impacts of volunteering for 12 weeks with Wildlife Trusts found:
- 60% reported becoming more physically active;
- New volunteers trebled the number of days they were physically active;
- 83% improved their mental wellbeing.
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