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image captionPaddleboarding, canoeing and other canal-based activities could be prescribed by GPs to people in Nottingham
People could be prescribed an afternoon of paddleboarding or some canal-side gardening to improve their health.
Nearly £50,000 has been given to The Thriving Communities project so patients can make use of the Nottingham and Beeston canal.
Doctors and health workers in Nottingham will be able to refer people to canal-based community projects in what is called social prescribing .
One GP said it can improve the quality of somebody s life .
The Canal and River Trust said groups in Nottingham would receive the money to offer people activities to boost their physical and mental health .
People to be prescribed afternoons at Nottingham canals for unique health boost
“Research tells us that spending time by water can help us to feel happier and healthier
14:37, 4 APR 2021
A view of the canal in Nottingham city centre.
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New sites to test how connecting people with nature can improve mental health
Seven sites will receive a share of over £5.5m pot to research how nature can be used to improve mental health and wellbeing.
From: Credit: Getty images.
Seven sites which will test the ways in which connecting people with nature can improve mental wellbeing have been awarded a share of a £5.77 million pot, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow has announced today (Saturday 19 December).
The new test and learn sites, which are based across England, will focus on communities hardest hit by coronavirus. This could include those living in deprived areas, people with mental health conditions or BAME communities. Since the coronavirus pandemic, when many people have experienced distress, loneliness or anxiety, there has been an increased public awareness of the benefits of regular access to green spaces. Studies have shown that this has the potential to improve mental health and wellbeing.