Posted on: 23 February 2022
Evidence has consistently proved the link between engagement in nature with health and wellbeing. The benefits include promoting health behaviours such as exercise; improving social connection; fostering a sense of belonging; reducing loneliness and supporting the development of skills and capabilities (particularly in young people) such as improved motor skills and academic performance.
With this in mind, CNWL’s Kensington and Chelsea Community Perinatal Team piloted two mother and baby groups at a public greenspace in Central London. The aim was to foster a connection with nature for both mother and child, hoping to cause continued use of public greenspaces and create improved long-term health outcomes.
The groups were delivered by Rachael McGeehin, Senior Occupational Therapist and included mindfulness, nature crafts, journaling, poetry reading, and a forest-bathing inspired nature walk.
Initial feedback highlighted 100 per cent of participants found the group useful and would recommend it to others.
Rachel has discussed the findings in an article for the Perinatal Quality Network (PQN):
“These findings support the need for nature-based groups with perinatal populations. The groups are meaningful for parents and their infants with all mothers reporting that nature allowed co-occupation between them and baby as well as connection with other mums. This is an area OTs can support and I am optimistic this is a sustainable occupation-based intervention that can be offered long-term in perinatal services.”
Read the full article (opens in PDF).
More information can be found on the Kensington and Chelsea Perinatal Service page.
