Naturally Healthy Together
The year 2024 was at times confusing and intense, but it also brought new energy, ideas, and perspectives. For Nature For Health, it was a good year in which nature-inclusive health and care – partly thanks to our efforts – made a big leap forward. This was made possible by an enthusiastic and growing NFH Team, the wonderful collaboration with IVN, Institute for Nature Education, the healthcare sector, and the Collective for Nature Inclusiveness.
We are incredibly pleased that NFH, together with IVN, has become coordinator of two major programs: Te Gek Groen, funded by the National Postcode Lottery, and Green for Health, funded by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. These programs, within the framework of the Collective for Nature Inclusiveness and the Green Deal Sustainable Care 3.0, enable the expansion and deepening of Green Mental Health Care and mark the beginning of Green Disability Care and Green Elderly Care.
We were also pleased with the continuation and deepening of the wonderful collaboration with ’s Heeren Loo, the largest provider of disability care in the Netherlands.
It’s fantastic that the weekly Nature on Prescription walks in the Reeshof district of Tilburg have become increasingly popular, thanks to the support of the Municipality of Tilburg and several nature coaches.
With the support and involvement of the Province of North Brabant, a concept was developed this year for an innovative project focused on the healing landscape of Green Mental Health Care (Groene GGZ) in North Brabant. The project aims to give a significant boost to the vitality of both the people of Brabant and the region’s natural environment.
Together with young people — both within the NFH Team and as NFH youth ambassadors — as well as with other organizations, including Brabants Maatjes, several nature-focused activities were developed and carried out, aimed at strengthening young people’s mental health and reducing loneliness.
As part of the Collective for Nature Inclusiveness, NFH contributed to further developing the Nature on Prescription initiative, aimed at integrating nature and nature-based offerings into primary care. Discussions were held with several general practitioners, mental health practice nurses (POHs), and physiotherapists to enable the introduction of Nature on Prescription in the coming years.
The year 2024 ended for Nature For Health in a beautiful and fitting way, with an inspiring new Midterm Strategy for the coming years.
Last but not least, NFH’s exposure increased significantly over the past year, as reflected in the more than 11,000 followers on LinkedIn. We have started working on a new NFH website, which will give us more opportunities to present our message and activities in an even more professional and appealing way.
We zijn bijzonder dankbaar voor de samenwerking en de steun die we in afgelopen jaar van velen hebben mogen ontvangen. We gaan met veel vertrouwen het nieuwe jaar in, en we wensen iedereen: Samen Natuurlijk Gezond in 2025!