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More people living in north Sheffield will be able to experience the benefits of the outdoors, thanks to funding secured by the Peak District National Park Foundation.

A series of health-boosting activities will be developed with communities in north east Sheffield as a result of the £8,900 awarded by the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw ICS Green Social Prescribing Grants Programme

Community based organisation SOAR is working with the Foundation to pilot ‘Peak Park Prescriptions’ – aiming to remove barriers which prevent people in areas of high deprivation from visiting the National Park.

The project will help to improve physical and mental health and general wellbeing by making it easier for people to explore the Peak District, supported by National Park rangers.

SOAR, which provides services to improve health, well-being and employability, will work with communities to develop activities for rangers to deliver in the National Park. The project will also include transport to connect communities with nature in the Peak District

Foundation manager Sarah Slowther says: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this funding to pilot Green Social Prescribing. SOAR has an excellent track record in community engagement, health and wellbeing, which will help us to connect communities to the wellbeing benefits of nature. The range of activities offered will be developed with the community and may include mindfulness walks in the stunning National Park landscapes as well as map reading and navigation skills and practical conservation tasks, including tree planting or footpath restoration. We believe passionately in a National Park enjoyed and conserved by everyone. This project will enable us to improve wellbeing through connection to nature and build a greater understanding of the importance of the natural world for people, for climate and for wildlife. A third of the city of Sheffield falls within the National Park boundary and Sheffield is known as the Outdoor City, yet not everyone feels welcome or confident enjoying the Peak District. This project enables us to test new approaches to wellbeing and develop these with north east Sheffield communities.”

Peak Park Prescriptions will be promoted by SOAR’s Social Prescribing Link Workers, wellbeing coaches and across its broader health work with communities and GP surgeries.  It will also support staff, volunteers and participants to develop skills and confidence to lead walks in the National Park, providing a longer term legacy for the project.

Guy Weston Health Services Manager at SOAR comments “We’re looking forward to working with the Peak District National Park Foundation to expand our health and wellbeing offer. We know spending time in and connecting with nature makes us feel better and we’re fortunate to have a National Park on our doorstep this project means we can do more to ensure equitable access to green space and work with our community to understand the impact on physical and mental health”

 The project aims to broaden access to the National Park, reducing inequalities, improving physical and mental wellbeing and support recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation Chief Executive Ruth Willis said: “Working in partnership with SOAR to encourage people from highly deprived backgrounds to visit the National Park shows an awareness by Peak District National Park Foundation to reach all communities who can benefit from green social prescribing.”

 To find out more about SOARs work visit  SOAR Community | Sheffield