Health professionals across England are increasingly recognising the powerful role that nature can play in supporting physical, mental and social wellbeing.
From reducing stress and loneliness to increasing physical activity and confidence, time spent in forests offers a valuable complement to clinical and community-based care.
This blog outlines the free training, tools and partnership support available to help health and community professionals confidently embed green social prescribing into everyday practice.
What is green social prescribing?
Green social prescribing is the practice of supporting people to take part in nature-based interventions and activities to improve their mental and physical health. You can find out more on the NHS website.
Forestry England’s green social prescribing programme
At Forestry England, we work with health, social care and community partners to make it easier for professionals to connect people with nature through our Feel Good in the Forest green social prescribing programme.
Alongside activity delivery for members of the public, we also offer a growing range of free and practical resources to help professionals confidently embed nature into everyday practice, strategy and care pathways.
Support for health and community professionals
To date, over 1,000 health and care professionals have taken part in Feel Good in the Forest training events, including forest-based sessions and online learning.
These opportunities are designed for:
- health and social care professionals
- social prescribing link workers
- voluntary, community and faith organisations
- community and wellbeing leads
- students and trainees
The aim of our training sessions is simple: to help professionals understand the evidence, experience forest‑based activities themselves, and feel confident recommending or embedding nature‑based approaches in their work.
Practical training that brings nature to life
Delivered both in forests and online, our training sessions give professionals the chance to learn about the health and wellbeing benefits of forests, understand and address barriers to access (including confidence and transport), and network across health, physical activity and environmental sectors.
Crucially, these sessions move beyond theory. And what’s more, evaluation consistently shows strong impact:
- 91% would consider making a referral or recommending a Forestry England site.
- 97% believe forest activities could benefit their patients or community.
- 85% report increased confidence.
- 95% feel motivated to apply what they’ve learnt.
Free online training and resources for healthcare settings
For those unable to attend an in‑person event, our Feel Good in the Forest Champion online training module offers a flexible, free way to build confidence in using nature to support health and wellbeing. This short course:
- summarises the evidence linking nature and health.
- provides practical ideas for using nature at home, in healthcare settings and outdoors.
- supports professionals to champion green social prescribing locally.
Quick tip resources
Alongside this, we’ve worked with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to develop Nature Moments. These are quick tips for healthcare settings, designed to help create greener, more restorative environments indoors and outdoors. Small, simple changes can make a meaningful difference for patients, visitors and staff.
Together, these free resources make it easier for health and community professionals to bring the benefits of nature into everyday practice, whatever their setting.
Nature-based support without outdoor access
We know that not everyone can easily access outdoor spaces. To reduce this barrier, we’ve created ways to bring the forest indoors. Our Virtual Forest Hub brings the calming sights and sounds of the forest to any location, including healthcare and community settings.
These free resources are already being used in:
- hospital waiting areas and wards.
- staff rooms.
- stroke rehabilitation virtual reality projects.
- hospices, to help reduce pain and anxiety.
A simple QR‑code poster links people directly to relaxing forest videos – no equipment or downloads needed.
How to support others to feel good in the forest
Visit our nature-based health interventions page to find out more about accessing and arranging training, practical resources and partnership support.
