As Climate and Social Care Reach Breaking Point, Charity Leader Says Green Care Innovation is the Future
A learning disability charity boss who leads a coalition of voluntary groups delivering environmentally friendly services is urging the Government to embrace Green Care.
Sara Thakkar, Chief Executive of Camphill Village Trust, which is marking its 70th anniversary this year, points out that the Trust’s ten supported living communities’ day opportunity programme has pioneered the principles of Green Care for many years.
The Green Care programme is tailored and delivered to meet an individual’s assessed care needs. The sessions take place in natural surroundings – tapping into the connection between nature, health and wellbeing supported by research evidence.
Sara said: “We want to be leaders of the Green Care future – providing innovative, integrated, high-quality social care built on the proven benefits of nature and the environment. Green Care provides the people we support with a life of opportunity – benefitting them and the world around us.”
Green Care involves regular meaningful nature-based activities led by trained practitioners.
Programmes provided by the Trust span a range of nature-based activities including:
- Supported horticulture and food growing
- Supported care farming and other interactions with animals
- Environmental and wildlife conservation
- Countryside management
- Supported catering and food preparation
- Nature-based arts and crafts
- Supported retail and customer services linked to nature-based activities
Sara said: “We have the research evidence that Green Care is good for the people we support of all ages because of the interaction of three factors: spending time in nature, being active and being in a positive social environment. Unlike other occupational therapy activities, the ‘result’ is important because it is alive: if the plant or animal doesn’t thrive it will not produce the same outcomes for the individual’s health and wellbeing.”
Research shows that Green Care is effective for people with a defined health, social care or educational need and is currently most used by organisations working with people with a learning disability.
Sara chairs the Green Care Coalition, a group of 13 organisations delivering Green Care or promoting sustainable farming and related activities. It was established in 2016 so organisations could share best practice and resources and promote the benefits and cost-effectiveness of Green Care.
The Camphill Village Trust has provided a nature-based therapy and day activities programme for much of its 70-year history. The supported living communities provide accommodation and independent living for adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health problems. They also welcome non-residents who benefit from the Green Care activities.
Sara says: “By living and working in close contact with nature, the Trust’s community residents and day service users are helping to maintain biodiversity, contributing to the UK’s net zero carbon targets and gaining the confidence to integrate into the wider community and lead lives that are as full and independent as possible.”
The Trust is well-placed to deliver such care and opportunities as the ten communities have resources such as working social farms, gardens and other natural spaces. Many sites also have purpose-built buildings where the people they support can undertake a range of creative arts, such as music, crafts and drama – taking inspiration from the natural world around them.
Earlier this month the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published an academic research report which showed that expanding access to Green Social Prescribing can promote wellbeing and improve mental health.
Sara said: “Interestingly, the report’s authors called for ongoing Government investment so more people can access green social prescribing. That message is one that both the Trust and the Green Care Coalition would echo around Green Care. There is equally solid academic research evidence that investing in Green Care benefits individuals, society and the environment.”
The Trust and community residents are taking part in a range of activities to mark the 70th anniversary – including Sara and other senior executives leading a sponsored climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.
