Slimbridge wildlife reserve seeks funds for mental health programme

Becca Gannaway-Pitts said the activities had improved her anxiety and depression

A wildlife reserve is seeking funding for a programme to help people suffering with anxiety or depression.

Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Gloucestershire ran pilot sessions to see what benefit being near water provided those taking part.

Activities ranged from bird watching, to canoeing and an estuary picnic.

Participants said they found it relaxing and the trust is hoping to secure funding to offer The Blue Prescribing Project in Gloucestershire.

"I found coming here totally chills you. Everyone found it beneficial and [they] weren't feeling as low as when they started," said Becca Gannaway-Pitts.

The six-week trial was designed in response to increasing evidence that being in nature can reduce psychological stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression and that access to blue and green space is associated with better health outcomes, the trust said.

YouGov research released by the Mental Health Foundation suggests 65 per cent of people find being near coast, rivers, lakes and ponds has a positive impact on their mental health.

The trust's principle research officer Dr Jonathan Reeves said: "It brings an evidence base to what we already know.

"That spending time in nature, wetlands and around water is good for our wellbeing. But to see the level of improvement that we did was quite surprising."

Following the success of the trial, Slimbridge WWT is hoping to offer a similar scheme called the Blue Prescribing Project, which is supported by an online health management course, and is running at WWT Steart Marshes, Somerset in June and at WWT London Wetland Centre in August.