There was a local flavour to Steve Brine's Ministerial role recently as he launched a new national health partnership at Winchester's City Mill.
England's National Parks are vital resources that will sit at the centre of plans to improve physical and mental wellbeing thanks to a new partnership between Public Health England and the nation's ten National Parks. Free to access and open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, these inspiring protected landscapes are key to improving people's physical and mental wellbeing.
The partnership – in the form of a Joint Accord – follows recent research showing that six million people in the country are not even managing to take a ten-minute brisk walk once a month. It will build on work already being carried out to encourage more people to experience the many health benefits of getting out and active in National Parks. The Joint Accord was launched by Steve Brine MP, Minister for Public Health in the South Downs National Park on Friday 8th September.
Winchester MP, and Public Health Minister, Steve Brine, said: "This accord is a win-win. Not only does it help preserve our beautiful national parks, but encourages people to get active, adding years to our lives and saving billions of pounds for our NHS.
"Physical activity helps to prevent and manage over 20 chronic conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, mental health problems and musculoskeletal conditions. So I am delighted to help launch this Accord, and I cannot think of a better place to get active than in our National Parks."
Margaret Paren, Chair of National Parks England and the South Downs National Park Authority, also attended the event. She said: "Whether for mind or body, there is clear evidence that getting outdoors improves people's wellbeing. Millions of people already enjoy National Parks but with increasing anxiety, mental illness, and physical inactivity this partnership is a great opportunity to build on the innovative work already underway so that more people benefit from being outside in these very special landscapes."
Examples are available from all ten English National Parks which illustrate how they are vital resources that will sit at the centre of plans to improve physical and mental wellbeing. They include:
1) An independent charitable organisation, GROW, in the South Downs National Park run by people with personal experience of mental health issues. They aim to give people experiencing psychological and emotional distress a chance to recover and feel better through structured and unstructured activities in nature, including nature walks, practical conservation work, helping on the farm, cooking wild food and a range of arts and crafts.
2) Working with GPs in Dartmoor National Park to evaluate the benefits to mental and emotional health and well-being of interacting with landscapes, wildlife and the recreational opportunities found in the National Park.
3) Supporting families through the Explorer's Club in the North York Moors National Park, that allows whole families to explore and care for the National Park and includes the adoption of a 3 mile stretch of the Cleveland Way National Trail. Families are now looking after all 109 miles of the National Trail and are undertaking practical conservation to keep it in good condition.
Professor John Newton, Director of Health Improvement at Public Health England, added: "Our national parks provide unique places for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There is growing evidence of the positive impact of the natural environment on health which is why PHE are excited to be working with National Parks England, to improve the public's health and wellbeing."
Pictured; Ric Weeks from Winchester City Mill, Professor John Newton from PHE, Paul Hamblin, National Parks England, Margaret Paren from SDNP, Steve Brine MP and Alison Barnes of the New Forest National Park Authority and, from SBTV, Steve chats with Margaret Paren at the event.
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