CFSurrey launches Green Health & Wellbeing Programme in partnership with Surrey County Council
New programme will strengthen nature-based health and wellbeing services across Surrey through grant funding, collaboration and shared learning.
The Community Foundation for Surrey (CFSurrey) is delighted to announce the launch of the Surrey Green Health & Wellbeing Programme, a new initiative delivered in partnership with Surrey County Council that will strengthen and grow nature-based health and wellbeing services across the county.
Backed by a £170,000 investment from Surrey County Council, the programme will establish a dedicated Green Health & Wellbeing Grant Fund alongside a countywide Community of Practice, helping voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations build capacity, share learning and improve access to green health opportunities for Surrey residents.
Green Health is the use of natural green and blue spaces to improve physical, mental and social wellbeing through meaningful engagement with nature, whether individually or as part of a group.
The programme recognises the growing evidence that spending time in nature can improve both physical and mental wellbeing. Across Surrey, community organisations are already delivering innovative green health activities, from conservation volunteering and community gardening to walking groups, outdoor wellbeing sessions and nature-based therapeutic programmes. The new programme aims to strengthen this growing ecosystem by investing in organisations, encouraging collaboration and building a sustainable future for green health across the county.
Welcoming the programme, Jean-Pierre Moore, Head of Communities, Surrey County Council, commented:
"The Surrey Green Health and Wellbeing programme represents exactly the kind of sustainable, community-led approach we want to see embedded across our system. By investing in the sector's capacity to lead this work independently - through a Community of Practice and a dedicated grant fund to strengthen frontline providers - we ensure that four years of evidence, relationships, and best practice, built within SCC, continues to grow and thrive.
Nature-based health and wellbeing is not a nice-to-have. It is a proven, cost-effective response to some of our most pressing public health challenges, and it deserves a permanent home in how Surrey delivers health and care. This programme works towards exactly that - developing something that is owned and led by those who understand it best."
The Community Foundation for Surrey will manage a Green Health & Wellbeing Grant Fund, supporting eligible VCSE organisations that deliver green health activities. Alongside the grant programme, Surrey County Council will lead the development of a Community of Practice, bringing organisations together through workshops, networking events and shared learning opportunities.
The programme has been designed not only to support organisations today but also to create the foundations for long-term investment in green health. Learning, evidence and impact from funded projects will help demonstrate the value of nature-based approaches while creating opportunities to attract future investment through a collective funding model.
Dr Rebecca Bowden, Chief Executive, Community Foundation for Surrey, added:
"Surrey has an incredible network of organisations using nature to improve people's health and wellbeing. This programme is about helping those organisations become stronger, more connected and more sustainable, so that even more residents can benefit from the positive impact that green health can have on people's lives.
"By combining grant funding with opportunities to learn, collaborate and share evidence of what works, we're helping build a stronger green health ecosystem across Surrey for the long term."
The programme will include:
A dedicated Green Health & Wellbeing Grant Fund for eligible VCSE organisations.
A Surrey-wide Community of Practice bringing together organisations working in green health.
Workshops, networking events and shared learning opportunities.
Collaboration with delivery partners to shape the future of green health in Surrey.
Further information on application dates will be announced shortly. To register your interest in this programme, please visit our website here and submit your contact details for updates.