How a birdwatching session could cure what ails you

Your family GP could be prescribing a hike up the Cave Hill or a session with the binoculars searching for rare birds if an intriguing new project gets the go-ahead.

The team behind Northern Ireland’s first Green Prescription Programme is calling for the public to cast their vote for the innovative scheme.

Northern Ireland Environment Link says the project, called ‘A Dose of the Great Outdoors’, would link patients from local GP practices up with activity programmes delivered by an environmental charity.

The project is up against a host of community projects competing for a £10,000 fund under the Aviva Community Fund - projects that include fishing for health, uncovering the heritage of the Black Mountain and a sober cafe.

Northern Ireland Environment Link says the project would help to tackle physical inactivity, the increase in obesity, growing mental ill health, social isolation, an ageing population and rising health inequalities, which are placing crippling strain on the health system.

“We propose developing a Community Green Prescription scheme that uses the brilliant natural environment we have on our doorstep to contribute to health and wellbeing,” a spokesman said.

“Drawing parallels with conventional medical prescriptions given to patients, green prescriptions use our environment to support prevention and management of a range of medical conditions and chronic diseases.

“Equipped with a Green Prescription referral pack, GPs will issue green prescriptions - a prescribed 12-week programme of environmental activities.”

Activities prescribed by GPs could include hillwalking; orienteering; conservation work; outdoor photography; birdwatching; community archaeology; gardening and allotments, cookery and healthy eating initiatives.

NIEL would use the £10,000 fund to create two 12-week activity programmes with Belfast Hills Partnership and Mournes Heritage Trust, piloting the project on more than 20 patients to assess their health before and after the programme.

“The results of this work will be shared with GPs, health care providers and community and voluntary organisations in the health and environment sector to promote the Green Prescription concept across Northern Ireland,” the spokesman said.

To vote for ‘A Dose of the Great Outdoors’, click on https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voting/project/view/16-2824 - you will get 10 votes which you can either cast for the projects or spread among a number of projects.

NIEL is calling for people to share the campaign on social media and with networks, using the #DoseOfGreatOutdoors hashtag to show support.