How the Health and Nature Network is Supporting Wellbeing Across Kent and Medway

Spending time in nature is one of the simplest ways to support our health. Being outdoors can help reduce stress, lift our mood, improve sleep, and encourage gentle physical activity. Even small moments – a walk in a park, noticing wildlife, or spending time by the coast – can make a real difference to how we feel.

Across Kent and Medway, more people are turning to nature to support their wellbeing. The Health and Nature Network is helping to make these opportunities easier to find, easier to access, and better connected to the people who need them most.

The Network brings together organisations from health, community, environmental and public sectors to create a joined-up approach to nature-based wellbeing. By working together, they are helping health professionals, link workers and social prescribers to confidently connect people with local nature-based activities.

What Happens at Health and Nature Network Meetings

The latest Health and Nature Network meeting took place in June, bringing together partners from across Kent and Medway. This session included an interactive Theory of Change workshop, where members contributed their experience to explore how collective action can improve health outcomes through nature, reduce inequalities and strengthen Green Social Prescribing.  Members also took part in a training and funding update, and joined a discussion around a potential Trusted Providers List – brainstorming what social prescribers and nature-based organisations would need from a shared resource and helping shape its future development.

The next meeting is in September – if you would like to be invited please email healthnaturefund@kent.gov.uk.

The Health and Nature Fund

Earlier this year, the Network launched the first Health and Nature Fund, funded by Kent County Council’s Public Health. There was £80,000 available, and 23 projects across Kent were chosen for funding.

All activities in these programmes are free, and each one offers something different – from gentle walks and creative outdoor sessions to coastal wellbeing, gardening, forest school, youth activities and inclusive nature-based support.

Growing Skills Across the Health and Nature Sector

To help more people across Kent access safe, high-quality nature-based activities, the Network has also funded 16 places on the Level 3 Certificate in Nature-Based Practice, delivered with Circle of Life Rediscovery CIC. This training supports practitioners to design and deliver nature-based wellbeing sessions in their communities.

The first group is currently training at Bedgebury Pinetum, and feedback has been very positive:

“I love the course. So much to learn but brilliantly delivered by extremely knowledgeable trainers. Just can’t recommend the course enough.”

“The in-person meetings have been most wonderful, as much for personal growth as for professional growth and how informative and useful its been.”

“Fun, relaxing, communal learning and sharing.” 

Applications are now open for the second cohort, starting in October at Brockhill Country Park.

Stay Updated

To stay connected with the Health and Nature Network’s work — including future funding rounds, new programmes, training opportunities and sector updates — you can join our mailing list. It’s the simplest way to keep up with nature‑based wellbeing developments across Kent and Medway and hear about new opportunities as they’re announced.