Think Health Think Nature
Think Health Think Nature is one of four initiatives in Scotland stemming from Our Natural Health Service which aims to show how Scotland’s natural environment is a resource that can be used to help tackle some of our key health issues.
Our Vision
‘By 2030, the natural environment will be valued as essential for the health & wellbeing of the people of Highland. We will work together to support individuals and communities to connect with and enjoy nature, while safeguarding our natural spaces and promoting inclusion’
Our Aims
- To get more people to use the outdoor environment and more regularly
- To contribute to reducing health inequalities by targeting activity at those who are most in need
- To co-ordinate partnership efforts on use of the outdoor environment for health
- To identify existing assets, make links between them, and identify gaps in provision
- To develop a network of those with an interest in promoting the outdoor environment for health
- To create a shared learning environment
For more information on how we are working to achieve these aims please visit our Workplan page.
The Partnership
The Think Health Think Nature partnership meets quarterly, and is chaired by the Head of Health Improvement within the NHS Highland Public Health Team. The workplan is coordinated by the Senior Development Officer for Green Health, employed through NHS Highland. The work has been funded through the Our Natural Health Service programme, led by NatureScot and will run for an initial period of 5 years from 2018 – 2023. Although centralised funding has ceased, the partnership continues to meet with dedicated support from NHS Highland staff and is made up of the following organisations:
- NHS Highland
- NatureScot
- High Life Highland
- Highland Third Sector Interface
- Paths for All
- The University of the Highlands and Islands
- The Cairngorms National Park Authority
- Forestry and Land Scotland
- The Highland Council
- Representatives from the Environment, Health and Social Care Sectors.
Our Framework
The framework below demonstrates who is involved in the partnerships work and the guiding principals that underpin the work we deliver:
