A COUNCIL-BACKED eco scheme to help Cheshire West residents enjoy the great outdoors has won a national accolade.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Natural Health Service scooped the national gong for Best Nature Based Public Health Project, sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Cheshire’s Natural Health Service, which is funded by CWaC and managed by The Mersey Forest, uses the county’s green spaces to keep residents healthy.

The project has been running since 2017 and has helped to tackle local health inequalities within the borough, with nearly 3,000 participants taking part so far in group walking, mindfulness, horticulture therapy, healthy conservation and bushcraft.

All these activities have taken place in the great outdoors across west Cheshire.

The 12-week block sessions aimed at both adults and children, are tailored to residents with particular needs or health conditions, or those in recovery.

The results from residents who have taken part in the project have shown significant increases in levels of physical and mental wellbeing.

CWaC leader and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Louise Gittins said: “This is a fantastic project and it’s great news that the Natural Health Service has been recognised nationally with this award.

“We want all residents, from all works of life to be able to improve their health and wellbeing. Just a short walk in the lovely green spaces we have across the borough can have a huge positive impact on an individual’s wellbeing.

"Take time out with family and friends for a leisurely stroll or cycle.

“This announcement also coincides with Health and Wellbeing week, with lots of activities taking place throughout this week.”

Neston resident Sandra Williams attended the Mindful Contact with Nature course and has definitely seen the benefits.

She said: “I enjoy the outdoors more and pay more attention to the smaller details in nature. Whilst I’m walking, I use the breathing techniques, that I learnt on the course, on a regular basis and feel more relaxed and less stressed.”

Programme manager for the Natural Health Service and winner of the award, Clare Olver, said: “It’s fantastic to win this award, which recognises how contact with the natural environment keeps us well.

“Over the past 25 years, the Mersey Forest Partnership has been planting trees across the borough and beyond and helping to manage our woodlands knowing these green spaces are great places to help improve our overall physical and mental health.

“Our work has been seen as 'leading edge' and 'ground breaking', and our aspiration is to have the Natural Health Service available across Cheshire West to all communities, throughout the year.”

Health and Wellbeing Week is taking place this week until February 1 and people can find out more about key activities taking place and how to get involved, by visiting yourwestcheshire.co.uk.