A project that uses the natural world to improve the health and wellbeing in the community has received a welcome boost from a Nottingham-based, not-for-profit transport provider.
CT4N Charitable Trust has joined forces with Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service (NCVS) to help provide transport for patients who have been prescribed nature-based activities by their GP or another primary care professional.
The pioneering approach to treating conditions such as depression and anxiety is at the heart of the GreenSpace Project, run by NCVS as one of seven Green Social Prescribing Test and Learn sites set up by the UK government.
By becoming a ‘Trusted GreenSpace Provider’, CT4N will help even more people to benefit from the project by providing a suitable vehicle for groups organising activities.
Ian Combellack, CT4N Managing Director, explained: “GreenSpace is already a huge success, but a lack of affordable and accessible transport has been identified as one of the barriers to helping even more people to access a green social prescribing network.
“We are delighted to be able to lend our support to this pioneering initiative that is already helping scores of people to improve their mental health by reconnecting with nature.”
To celebrate the new partnership with NCVS, CT4N has given one of its minibuses an eye-catching makeover to celebrate GreenSpace, and it will be used by other Trusted Provider organisations to help people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to attend activities organised as part of the project.
Able to carry up to 16 passengers, the minibus is fully accessible for passengers in wheelchairs and is also available for hire by other community groups.
“This will ensure that the vehicle is utilised as much as possible, especially in the evenings and weekends,” Ian said.
Amanda Chambers, GreenSpace Programme Manager at NCVS, added: “Green social prescribing is all about connecting local people with nature-based activities and green community projects to help them manage and improve their mental and physical health.
“Having CT4N as a Trusted Provider means that that connection is made that bit easier. We are delighted with the GreenSpace minibus makeover and look forward to patients, community and health partners making use of it so they can enjoy the benefits of nature connectedness.”
Green social prescribing has become an increasingly popular way of improving mental health, particularly as the country emerges from the coronavirus pandemic, and further information about Greenspace can be found here.
Anyone who would like to book a minibus for their activity should contact CT4N Charitable Trust on 0115 986 3355
