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A qualitative exploration of a UK nature-based social prescribing scheme: The service user perspective

Menna Brown Orcid Logo, Catherine Jenkins, Abigail Froggatt

Social Medicine, Volume: 19, Issue: 2, Pages: 164 - 173

Swansea University Authors: Menna Brown Orcid Logo, Catherine Jenkins, Abigail Froggatt

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DOI (Published version): 10.71164/socialmedicine.v19i2.2026.2255

Abstract

Social prescribing schemes are growing in the UK. Evidence in support of nature-based social prescribing referrals, a specific sub-set of social prescribing, is mounting, however there are several challenges to capturing impact. Many evaluations have focused on health improvement to gauge impact. Th...

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Published in: Social Medicine
ISSN: 1557-7112
Published: Social Medicine Publication Group 2026
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa71848
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last_indexed 2026-06-04T08:37:25Z
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spelling 2026-06-03T13:13:46.8306970 v2 71848 2026-05-05 A qualitative exploration of a UK nature-based social prescribing scheme: The service user perspective cf3c261a9100f79a3f1d018fa4066595 0000-0003-1427-1648 Menna Brown Menna Brown true false 92d2aaef1005ad9503ff451dd3bf6d27 Catherine Jenkins Catherine Jenkins true false ebe01b09945a3705626d10457f1e18a2 Abigail Froggatt Abigail Froggatt true false 2026-05-05 MEDS Social prescribing schemes are growing in the UK. Evidence in support of nature-based social prescribing referrals, a specific sub-set of social prescribing, is mounting, however there are several challenges to capturing impact. Many evaluations have focused on health improvement to gauge impact. The service user perspective is critical to understanding the wider value and warrants continued exploration. Potential for participant insights to identify ‘active ingredients’ of schemes could inform the development of future frameworks designed to understand best practice, ensure efficient use of NHS funds, resource allocation and reduce the burden on primary care. Thus, this study aimed to understand the value of nature-based social prescribing schemes from the service user perspective. Three focus group discussions (n=22) and 17 one-to-one interviews were conducted (59% male participants). The thematic analysis generated three themes: ‘Community’, ‘nature connection and exposure’ and ‘ripple effects’; which highlighted the value of participation. Nature-based social prescribing schemes benefit participants in a multitude of ways. They help provide a safe and supported place to develop personal identity and social skills which are vital for social connection and a sense of purpose. Nature exposure and connection afforded was important in facilitating these benefits. Specific features of the local scheme studied also highlighted the critical importance third sector staff play in delivering services to those facing deprivation, unemployment and or poor wellbeing. The relationships between scheme leaders and service users created opportunities to develop skills, and self-confidence which created ripple effects that extended beyond the immediate setting. Journal Article Social Medicine 19 2 164 173 Social Medicine Publication Group 1557-7112 Nature-based social prescribing (NBSP), social prescribing, wellbeing, community health 1 5 2026 2026-05-01 10.71164/socialmedicine.v19i2.2026.2255 COLLEGE NANME Medical School COLLEGE CODE MEDS Swansea University Not Required 2026-06-03T13:13:46.8306970 2026-05-05T10:52:52.2993345 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Swansea University Medical School - Medicine Menna Brown 0000-0003-1427-1648 1 Catherine Jenkins 2 Abigail Froggatt 3 71848__36850__ec1014caca194ff1847cf4ab823d5a4b.pdf 71848.VOR.pdf 2026-06-03T13:10:52.3675070 Output 713688 application/pdf Version of Record true This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. true https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
title A qualitative exploration of a UK nature-based social prescribing scheme: The service user perspective
spellingShingle A qualitative exploration of a UK nature-based social prescribing scheme: The service user perspective
Menna Brown
Catherine Jenkins
Abigail Froggatt
title_short A qualitative exploration of a UK nature-based social prescribing scheme: The service user perspective
title_full A qualitative exploration of a UK nature-based social prescribing scheme: The service user perspective
title_fullStr A qualitative exploration of a UK nature-based social prescribing scheme: The service user perspective
title_full_unstemmed A qualitative exploration of a UK nature-based social prescribing scheme: The service user perspective
title_sort A qualitative exploration of a UK nature-based social prescribing scheme: The service user perspective
author_id_str_mv cf3c261a9100f79a3f1d018fa4066595
92d2aaef1005ad9503ff451dd3bf6d27
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author_id_fullname_str_mv cf3c261a9100f79a3f1d018fa4066595_***_Menna Brown
92d2aaef1005ad9503ff451dd3bf6d27_***_Catherine Jenkins
ebe01b09945a3705626d10457f1e18a2_***_Abigail Froggatt
author Menna Brown
Catherine Jenkins
Abigail Froggatt
author2 Menna Brown
Catherine Jenkins
Abigail Froggatt
format Journal article
container_title Social Medicine
container_volume 19
container_issue 2
container_start_page 164
publishDate 2026
institution Swansea University
issn 1557-7112
doi_str_mv 10.71164/socialmedicine.v19i2.2026.2255
publisher Social Medicine Publication Group
college_str Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
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hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofmedicinehealthandlifesciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
department_str Swansea University Medical School - Medicine{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Swansea University Medical School - Medicine
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description Social prescribing schemes are growing in the UK. Evidence in support of nature-based social prescribing referrals, a specific sub-set of social prescribing, is mounting, however there are several challenges to capturing impact. Many evaluations have focused on health improvement to gauge impact. The service user perspective is critical to understanding the wider value and warrants continued exploration. Potential for participant insights to identify ‘active ingredients’ of schemes could inform the development of future frameworks designed to understand best practice, ensure efficient use of NHS funds, resource allocation and reduce the burden on primary care. Thus, this study aimed to understand the value of nature-based social prescribing schemes from the service user perspective. Three focus group discussions (n=22) and 17 one-to-one interviews were conducted (59% male participants). The thematic analysis generated three themes: ‘Community’, ‘nature connection and exposure’ and ‘ripple effects’; which highlighted the value of participation. Nature-based social prescribing schemes benefit participants in a multitude of ways. They help provide a safe and supported place to develop personal identity and social skills which are vital for social connection and a sense of purpose. Nature exposure and connection afforded was important in facilitating these benefits. Specific features of the local scheme studied also highlighted the critical importance third sector staff play in delivering services to those facing deprivation, unemployment and or poor wellbeing. The relationships between scheme leaders and service users created opportunities to develop skills, and self-confidence which created ripple effects that extended beyond the immediate setting.
published_date 2026-05-01T06:39:11Z
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