From isolation to connection: the power of parks
At Your Park Bristol & Bath, we believe parks are more than green spaces — they’re places where people can heal, connect and thrive. Our flagship programme, Roots to Wellbeing, is proof of just how powerful nature can be when it’s made accessible to those who need it most.
Over the last two years, Roots to Wellbeing supported 255 people in Bristol and Bath who were struggling with their mental health. We ran 276 outdoor sessions in local parks, where participants engaged in mindful, creative, and reflective nature-based activities.
The impact has been profound — and deeply human.
A different kind of support
Unlike traditional interventions, Roots offers a gentler approach.
Participants spend time outdoors each week in a safe and supportive group. They take part in activities that reconnect them with nature and with themselves — from tree bark rubbing to bird listening, grounding exercises to group mandala-making.
Each person receives three one-to-one support calls over 18 weeks, as well as regular check-ins.
“It gave me my life back”
For Zoe, 29, who lives with anxiety and OCD, the weekly Roots sessions were a lifeline.
“With anxiety, being in nature is very regulating for my nervous system… Having that group felt like a bit of an anchor. It definitely improved my loneliness.”
She’s now exploring a future in social prescribing, herbal medicine and wellbeing gardening. Like many participants, Zoe’s story shows how nature-based support can lead to lasting confidence, connection and hope.
The results speak volumes
- 84% felt happier
- 84% felt healthier
- 69% felt less anxious & more calm
- 65% felt less isolated
- 60% made new friends
Helen, in her 30s, was supported through a difficult period with panic and social anxiety. She described the programme as “more helpful than any therapy group” she had tried.
“I've learned to go a bit slower, to take more time to listen and notice things, which has helped me massively with my mental health.”
Reaching the people who need it most
Roots is rooted in community. We’ve worked across areas with the highest levels of deprivation in Bristol and Bath, including Hartcliffe, Stockwood, Eastville, Lawrence Hill, Twerton and Withywood.
Over a third of our participants were referred by NHS professionals, and more than half were discharged to employment, training or volunteering.
We’re also evolving. Based on feedback from participants and partners, we’ve:
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Adapted sessions in cold weather to include more movement and warm spaces
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Created new sessions for parents in Hartcliffe with local partners
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Started co-designing a tailored version of Roots for ethnic minority communities in Lawrence Hill and Newtown
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Welcomed our first peer volunteers — former participants now helping others to take their first steps outdoors
Investing in long-term wellbeing
We’re proud to have exceeded our original target by 35%, but we know this is just the beginning. Our communities need safe, inclusive, long-term opportunities to connect with nature. That’s why we’ve strengthened our team with trained bank staff, built relationships with local services and developed shared evaluation tools with other providers to prove that green social prescribing works.
As one participant put it:
“You can be very childlike and explorative, and that's just really lovely and fun… I wish it was available to everyone.”
So do we. That’s why we’re continuing to grow Roots to Wellbeing, one session, one friendship, one small act of connection at a time.
If you’d like to support our work or find out more about our upcoming Roots groups, please get in touch or donate while all donations will be doubled.
