Page 10 - The Land Trust Annual Review 2016-17

Health

Throughout the year, the evidence about the The Land Trust Health Advisory Group was
benefit of green space to our physical and created this year to advise us on how to deliver
mental health has continued to grow. With the against this charitable objective. With expertise
health service facing ever increasing demand, from across the health sector, including charities
we are committed to improving the physical and Public Health England, we thank them
and mental health outcomes of local residents for their valuable input which will help direct
by encouraging the use of greenspace as and enhance our future health activities.
an alternative to traditional treatments.

Health for Life

Health for Life is an award-winning and innovative project
at our Countess of Chester Country Park. Drawing on the
proximity of the neighbouring hospital, it offers regular
health walks and activities to everyone, including hospital
staff, patients and visitors as well as local residents,
encouraging them all to get fit and healthy outdoors.
Aiming to support 12 new people each week through their
chosen 12-week beginners’ activity programme, participants
are monitored with results feeding into a study to hopefully
demonstrate how being more active and spending time
outdoors can help people’s health and wellbeing, such as
contributing towards reducing stress, mental illness, lower back
pain, cardiovascular illnesses and obesity, amongst others.
The Health for Life programme aims to maximise the use of the
Country Park, and is a result of a partnership project between the
Land Trust, TCV, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire
and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Countess of
Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and The Mersey Forest.
The project is part-funded by Nature4Health – a three-year project
funded by The Big Lottery’s ‘Reaching Communities’ programme
that aims to redress health inequalities, co-ordinated by The
Mersey Forest. PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND
RECOMMENDS THAT WE
TAKE AT LEAST 150 MINUTES
OF MODERATE EXERCISE
PER WEEK

Sheena Cumiskey, Chief Executive of Cheshire and
Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“ This is not just a great opportunity

for local residents, but it’s
important that staff feel they can
take time out to enjoy the green

space. If they are feeling fit and
healthy they’ll be able to deliver

the best possible experience to
our service users and carers.”

10 the Land Trust Annual Review 2016/17