Where am I? » Getting Involved » Environment and our health

Our natural health service

In the battle to confront health problems and other diseases our natural environment, a great national resource, is being vastly underused. Growing medical evidence shows that access to the natural environment is good for us and used in the right way, it represents our Natural Health Service: a treatment which is cost effective and free.

It reduces stress levels.
It encourages people to be more active, which is very good for health.
It helps people avoid getting ill.
It helps people keep stable once they have got an illness.
People live longer if they live near areas of green space.

Walking for Health Groups in the Biosphere Area (click the link for more information about the Groups, their walks schedule and contact details)

The North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve's Strategy and Action Plan identifies the need for "safe, strong and healthy communities" and the role the natural environment can play in delivering them. The North Devon AONB and Biosphere Service (NDABS) is working with Transform in Ilfracombe and Taw Torridge Volunteer Services to support Walking for Health groups in the Biosphere Reserve Area.

In the year since November 2010 when the Biosphere became involved (only 11 months of data used), the Biosphere's Walking for Health Groups have:

792 registered walkers
5160 people walking for 45 minutes or more in their local area - they have received the associated health benefits and become more familar with the environment and heritage of where they live
35 new volunteer walk leaders trained
A new Group has been set up in South Molton

Natural England Walking for Health Initiative - Volunteer walking groups offering a range of walks for people of varying abilities that are enjoyable and benefit your health and well being.