Category: News

Diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago, days before her 31st birthday and then secondary cancer months later (spread to the spine), Rosie Hellawell (37) has since found a therapeutic connection with the New Forest. Rosie and her dog Cola regularly walk in the New Forest and along the local coastline, finding a sense of serenity … Continued

I am James, a paediatrician (children, not feet), by training and have been working for the New Forest National Park in the role of Public Health clinical fellow for nearly a year now. It has been a steep learning curve for me, but incredibly rewarding because of the richness of my experiences and the knowledge … Continued

People are intuitively connected to nature. As a species, we have spent most of our existence much closer to nature than we do in the present day. The pressures of modern life can mean that we spend much of our time indoors and for many, this impacts our health and sense of wellbeing. Our modern … Continued

Dave has always lived an outdoors lifestyle, however a severe stroke in October 2021 not only harmed his physical wellbeing, restricting movement down his left side, but also his mental health. Regularly going on PEDALL rides with his wife Kate has been a big step in Dave’s recovery process. Dave used to be a lecturer … Continued

Helping refugees and asylum seekers to enjoy the New Forest National Park.   My name is Hayden and I am a ranger in the New Forest. As the New Forest National Park Authority, we’re committed to ensuring the National Park is an inclusive place for all and that people within reach of the New Forest, … Continued

For people who are blind or visually impaired, the beauty of nature is experienced and accessed through all the senses. This could include feeling the sun on the skin, exploring textures with the hands, enjoying the smell of damp leaves or listening to the relaxing sound of a full river. Zoe Hanscombe, who is visually … Continued

My name is David and I am 63 years old. I have a progressive muscle wasting condition called Inclusion Body Myositis – most people have never heard of it but, in my case, it slowly and progressively affects my legs, arms, hands and neck and I fall over a lot if not supported by something … Continued

Healthcare professionals are increasingly helping to connect people to the benefits of nature in the New Forest through ‘green social prescribing’.  Find out about the improvements in physical and mental health they are seeing thanks to this ‘Natural Health Service’. Being in nature is good for us. This is something we often feel intuitively when we … Continued

Having worked as an Environmental Educator for the last 15 years, five of which as the Education and Youth Officer at the New Forest National Park Authority, setting up my business ‘My Mindful Self’ and now consolidating my forest bathing training, I know first-hand the benefits nature connection has on wellbeing. Forest bathing or Shinrin-yoku … Continued

The New Forest Primary Care Network (PCN) social prescriber team were invited to immerse themselves in the beauty of the New Forest National Park during the Green Halo Partnership conference – a major conference highlighting the value of nature to our health and well-being in the face of the climate, nature and health crises. Social prescriber Diane … Continued