Around 1 in 5 people in Bristol and 1 in 7 people in Bath are living with a mental health condition. That’s over 121,000 people – and the numbers are rising. 

Suicide rates are above the national average, and people in deprived areas are twice as likely to experience “below average” mental wellbeing.

Meanwhile, support is harder to access than ever before. 

So we’re doing something about it and our parks are part of the solution...

As well as hosting over 700 volunteers every year through weekly community gardening sessions plus transforming access to parks nationally, we offer Roots to Wellbeing. 

Roots is a leading Green Social Prescribing mental health service bringing structured, expert-led support into green spaces across Bristol and Bath and feeding into national evidence. 

Over 18 weeks, people with complex needs get stuck into evidence-based nature therapy, peer support, gardening, crafts, mindfulness plus receive holistic, integrative support. 60% of referrals come from the NHS and health professionals.

The impact:

Why parks ?

Good health shouldn't depend on your postcode. By bringing support to people's doorsteps we can break down barriers to engaging with mental healthcare.

Winter is the hardest season for many and most services don’t run then, but ours do, because people tell us this is what they need.

Together, we can:

💚 Provide more free, early-intervention support through our evidence- and nature-based Roots programme.

💚 Deliver accessible sessions in deprived communities where need is highest, reaching those isolated by poverty, Disability or trauma, or who do not engage with traditional therapies. We'll connect people with nature and each other for long term impact.

💚 Train and support volunteers to continue work in parks long after discharge.

💚 Offer wraparound support like transport, food and clothing so no one is excluded from healing.

💚 Sustain delivery throughout winter, a time when many services stop but mental health needs peak.

Matt's story

People who grow up with little green space nearby have a 55% increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders in later life (Global Landscapes Forum, 2019). 40% of Bristol and Bath’s residents live in green space deprived areas (Friends of the Earth, 2022). However, DEFRA estimates that the NHS could save £2.1 billion per year if everyone used parks regularly - after all, public parks were built to improve health.

Rich says:

"After 50 years of suffering I finally felt an acceptance with others and myself. I was amongst people who treated me as a valued equal. This was very healing for me."

I have been supported to continue in other groups so that my wellbeing can be continued. Unlike other groups where upon completion you are dismissed without concern for your future health, this group takes positive action to ensure you are not left without future activities and your journey to better wellbeing is maintained.” 

Our support doesn't stop at the park gate

We lead Wild and Well which connects 400+ healthcare partners with an interest in nature for wellbeing. 

We're developing a volunteering pathway to help people get back into work and our strong partnerships with organisations ensure we support as many people as possible and in any area of their lives from employment to housing. 

It costs just £400 per week to run Roots in four parks.

With your help, we’ll provide free, inclusive sessions for over 200 people a year reducing isolation, boosting wellbeing and building lasting community resilience in the places that need it most.

Every donation will help someone take a step toward recovery.