Overview
Nature-based activities support physical and mental health through helping to keep us active, engaged with our community, and connected to nature. However, some people face barriers to participation, ranging from physical (transport, physical access, etc), to personal (lack of confidence or generalised anxiety), to socio-cultural (lack of feeling of belonging or welcome in nature spaces).
Nature Buddies are specially-trained volunteers who enable a person, on a one-to-one basis or as part of a small group, to overcome these barriers, based on individual needs.
What we’re doing
With funding from Public Health Oxfordshire, OLNP is working with BBOWT, OCVA, Wild Oxfordshire, and The Nature Effect, to develop a Nature Buddies scheme in Oxfordshire.
Following an initial stakeholder workshop in September 2024, in spring 2025 we are moving into a co-design phase for a 2-3 year pilot study that will help to develop a network of organisations hosting Nature Buddies across Oxfordshire.
Find out more
- See the National Academy of Social Prescribing’s Nature Buddies ‘toolkit’ .
- Do get in touch with the OLNP people and nature manager (Lizzie.Moore@southandvale.gov.uk) if you would like to find out more or think your organisation could be involved.
Related publications
Recognitional equity in access to and planning of urban green spaces
This research by Mattia Troiano looks at how fair access to parks and green spaces in Oxford is influenced by income and community backgrounds. It finds that poorer communities often struggle to have their voices heard in decisions about these spaces, making it harder for them to shape their local environment. Even when efforts are made to include them, a lack of trust and practical barriers can stop them from taking part. Without recognizing these challenges, attempts to improve access and involvement in planning may not work as intended and could even make inequalities worse.
Equitable distribution of nature-rich accessible green space: An Oxfordshire case study
Oxfordshire’s Local Nature Partnership commissioned this research to understand the equality of access to green space, in terms of quantity and quality, across the county to help prioritise effort and funding. The project has identified neighbourhoods that are relatively deprived according to socio-economic measures and lack access to greenspace on a number metrics (including amount of greenspace, greenspace crowding and private gardens). Recommendations for Oxfordshire greenspace based on the report have been developed with local government officers and NGOs with responsibilities and/or interest in the subject.
Understanding the barriers to greenspace access
Access to green space and connection with nature are key determinants of physical and mental wellbeing. Yet some groups face significant barriers to access, many of which are poorly understood. Greenspace & Us is a community insights partnership project that used participatory and creative approaches to understand the barriers and enablers influencing access to greenspace for young women in East Oxford. The project was supported by Oxfordshire County Council and funded by Natural England.
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