Launch of groundbreaking new Morecambe Bay health and wellbeing project
A new project designed to improve health and wellbeing across Morecambe Bay is designed to be just what the doctor ordered.
Launched at RSPB Leighton Moss Nature Reserve, the Morecambe Bay Nature Prescription Project is helping to unlock one of the region's greatest assets for better health – its spectacular natural environment.
By connecting people with nature in simple, meaningful ways, the project aims to support mental wellbeing, reduce feelings of isolation, improve physical health and help people build stronger connections with their local communities.
Nature Prescriptions provide healthcare professionals and trusted community practitioners with a practical tool to encourage people to spend time in nature as part of their wellbeing journey.
Developed and successfully delivered by the RSPB since 2018, the programme helps individuals discover how everyday nature experiences, from listening to birdsong, finding meaning in seasonal changes and admiring the beauty of a snail shell, can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health.
The Morecambe Bay programme has been made possible through funding secured by Natural England's Bequest Fund and represents a powerful partnership between Natural England, the RSPB, The Landscape Trust and the Morecambe Bay Partnership. Together, these organisations are combining their expertise in health, conservation, community engagement and place-based action to ensure that more people can access the wellbeing benefits of nature.
A bespoke Morecambe Bay Nature Prescription booklet has been designed to ensure that it reflects both local health priorities and the unique landscapes that make the area special.
The launch event also served as a training day for professionals who will help deliver the programme across the region.
During the day, participants explored the growing evidence linking nature and health, and learned practical ways to integrate nature-based conversations into their work.
Jarrod Sneyd, senior site manager for RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay Reserve, and whose own nature photography is included throughout the booklet, said: “This project is brilliant and a real step towards helping people to reconnect with the simplicity and joy of being in nature – and I know because it’s revitalised me after significant health scares”
The event was further strengthened by a visit from Morecambe MP Lizzi Collinge, who met with social prescribers and learned more about the important role they play in supporting individuals and communities throughout Morecambe Bay.