Current Work

THERAPI

THERAPI Now
The initial three year THERAPI project was an innovative project which influenced local healthcare long term through partnership working. It had a strong influence on future health care policy at regional and national level and helped to develop and influence the growth of Green Health locally and further afield.

The THERAPI Project Officer, carried out a wide range of work within the THERAPI project umbrella, including:

• The production of a detailed report on Green Health for the 12 Community Forests. The report includes among other things a summary of the key benefits of green exercise and the most significant research outcomes in Green Health, as well as providing guidance on how to increase the links between the Health and Environment sectors at a local level.

• Working on an ongoing project funded by Natural England that focuses on the Thames Gateway development. The objective is to bring together the Health, Environment and Planning sectors at a senior level in order to plan for an integrated multifunctional approach Green Health in the Gateway. The vision is that Thames Gateway will be a place where people live and work in an environment that maximises their health and well being. For further details on how to be involved in this on going project, contact Jane Houghton at Natural England on 020 7944 2156.

• Speaking at conferences and seminars on Green Health and the evidence for its effectiveness.

• Running Ecotherapy workshops for mental health professionals and service users and is developing training programmes in this new area of mental health provision. For more information about ecotherapy, click here to visit the Ecotherapy page.

• Leading a Fit n’ Green project for mental health service users as part of Capital Volunteering in Havering. The aim of this project was to encourage service users to become engaged in volunteering through conservation work in Thames Chase Community Forest.