The Health and Wellbeing programme brings together partners from the outdoor and health sectors to increase physical activity, improve mental and physical health, and connect people with local clubs and groups that support long-term active lifestyles. Through this collaborative approach, the programme is influencing how health and community organisations work together, embedding outdoor activity within pathways that support prevention, wellbeing and independence.
Building on the growing evidence base for social prescribing, this project promotes activities for health alongside traditional medical interventions. By strengthening partnerships and referral pathways, it is helping organisations recognise and utilise outdoor activity as a valuable health and wellbeing tool, changing the way services support people to improve and maintain their health.
Our Health and Wellbeing programme was initially developed in north Wales in 2019 with funding from the Welsh Government’s Healthy and Active Fund.
The Opening Doors to the Outdoors project was a collaboration between The Outdoor Partnership, the Community Mental Health Teams across North Wales, local outdoor activity providers in the area and third sector organisations.
Using the social value model a independent evaluation showed that for every £1 invested in the project a total of £5.36 was generated for participants based on their answers.
In addition, interviews with clients indicated improved mental wellbeing (69%), better social trust (57%), health improvement (54%) and overall health (44%) from participating in the project (Bangor University, 2022).
Social Return on Investment (SROI)
