New 'Nature Prescription' feature now available for free
A free smartphone-based ‘nature prescription’ for mental health developed by researchers at the University of Derby and Go Jauntly has been launched.
Notes Notes encourages people to note down the good things in everyday nature
The Nature Notes feature has been integrated in the Go Jauntly iOS app, which also enables its users to discover, create and share walking routes. By using Nature Notes, users can now record the good things that they notice in nature.
Crucially, the research found it brought clinically significant improvements in quality of life for people living with a mental health difficulty.
The NCRG was the first dedicated research centre to be established to examine the relationship between humans and the rest of the natural world, and has developed some of the first interventions to bring about sustained increases in nature connectedness, enhanced wellbeing, and changes in conservation behaviours.
Miles Richardson, Professor of Human Factors and Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby, said:
“We are delighted to have teamed up with Go Jauntly to provide the Nature Notes feature. At a time when mental health is being tested by the lockdown, but we still have access to nature, it could provide a helping hand for many people. We hope it will motivate more people to notice the good things in nature, and, by doing so, experience the positive psychological impact and the lasting connection that those simple interactions can generate, in conjunction with the physical benefit of walking.”
Nature Notes also provides a useful tool to help organisations which manage urban green spaces to make the most of those areas for people who live near them. Go Jauntly also hopes it can be of use to local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and health organisations who are looking for easy ways to socially prescribe walking and nature connection.
Hana Sutch, co-founder and CEO at Go Jauntly, said:
“Research into this area has really accelerated in the last 10 years, in part due to the mental health crisis. Now more than ever, we're all experiencing the real link between contact with nature and our mental health. We hope that through familiar technology, Nature Notes can help us all appreciate the positive moments, no matter how small, and ultimately improve our wellbeing”.
Go Jauntly is available to download on the App Store and the Play Store. The new Nature Notes feature is available on iOS and is coming soon to Android. More information about the app and Nature Notes can be found here.
Do get in touch with Hana and the team to discuss ways we can help promote walking and nature connection for wellbeing here. To find out more about the work of the Nature Connectedness Research Group, visit the University of Derby website.