Nature For Health’s Nature on Prescription Month in the city of Tilburg, The Netherlands, has ended successfully

The Nature on Prescription Month Reeshof in the city of Tilburg, in the region of North-Brabant in The Netherland has ended successfully. It took place during the month of September. The Reeshof is a city-district of approximately 45,000 inhabitants, bordering the Van Gogh National Park.

13 general practitioners and support staff, physiotherapists and several other care providers and health organizations contributed to the Month, by pointing out to patients and residents the importance of being outside in nature for at least 20 minutes a day.

Nature on Prescription posters were posted at all participating practices and at many regional and local institutions and people were actively reminded of the importance of contact with nature for mental and physical health.  Nature on Prescription walks took place during the Month. This was supported by a targeted social media campaign, physical presence at Reeshof meetings and theme markets.

At the beginning of the Month, the ‘Referral Map for Nature on Prescription Reeshof – Van Gogh National Park‘ was launched. Healthcare providers in and around the Reeshof can use the card to refer patients to the nearby green and blue areas of the Van Gogh National Park, that starts almost at the front door of citizens. The first copy of the map was presented by initiators Rob Wolters (Executive Director Nature For Health Foundation) and Frank van den Eijnden (Operational Director Van Gogh National Park). Alderman of the municipality of Tilburg Maarten van Asten received the referral map, with an enthusiastic speech. It is the first time in the Netherlands that such a health-for-nature collaboration has been designed with the involvement of a national park.

There were seven beautiful Nature on Prescription walks in the Nature on Prescription Month, led by health experts, for everyone, but also specific age groups such as 65+ and young people. All walks were very much appreciated by participants, who all indicated that they felt better at the end of the walk than before.

One of the walks was focused on youth and “people young of heart”: the Nature Energy Walk & Talk Tilburg”. The Walk & Talk was also an activity in the context of the #EuropeanYearofYouth2022.

There was a lot of attention in the social media and other media for the Nature on Prescription Month.

We have already received the comment from many people “that this should definitely have a sequel”. And that’s what we’re going for!

The pilot will be evaluated by Nature For Health with the partners involved and also the municipality of Tilburg, and a second phase is expected to start in the near future.