Written Question · S4W-26583 · Session 4
What resources are deployed toward the use of (a) woodlands and (b) other green spaces to improve the (i) wellbeing, (ii) educational and (…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what resources are deployed toward the use of (a) woodlands and (b) other green spaces to improve the (i) wellbeing, (ii) educational and (iii) employment prospects of (A) young people experiencing difficulties and (B) adults with mental illness.
The answer
The Scottish Government and public bodies support a wide range of programmes that use woodlands and/or other green spaces to improve wellbeing, educational and employment prospects of young people experiencing difficulties and adults with mental illness.
Public sector supported initiatives that involve greenspace more widely will also bring benefits. For example, the Central Scotland Green Network is a national development in the National Planning Framework 3 and will bring a range of wellbeing, educational and employment benefits to residents across central Scotland including young people experiencing difficulties and adults with mental illness.
In addition, the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park operates programmes aimed at young people such as the rural skills programme which helps tackle rural unemployment in their area and can include skills learned in woodlands and green spaces.
Local authorities, land-managing organisations and other non-governmental organisations also engage in a range of relevant programmes and projects.
Projects supported by the Scottish Government and public bodies include:
Programme Name
Description
Target Audience
Lead Organisation
Green Space Type
Resources (2015-16)
Youth Employment and Skills Training
Programme to equip unemployed young people in central Scotland with skills training and work experience
Young people from disadvantaged areas
Forestry Commission Scotland
Woodlands
£300,000
Woods for Health
Programme promoting links between physical and mental health including engagement with younger audiences and a focus on wellbeing
Disadvantaged communities
Forestry Commission Scotland
Woodlands
£60,000
Imbewu
Pilot project to engage disadvantaged young people in the outdoor and rural skills
Disadvantaged young people
Wilderness Foundation
Rural Estates
£135,160 over two years (£50,780 from Scottish Natural Heritage)
Change Cycle
Pilot project to engage young people involved in the criminal justice system in the outdoors using mountain bikes
Young people in the justice system
Venture Trust
Cairngorms National Park
£264,000 (£48,800 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
Outward Bound Courses
Residential outward bound courses
Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
The Outward Bound Trust
Loch Eil
£168,000 over two years (£27,598 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
Branching Out
Programme to improve health-related quality of life of adults experiencing severe and enduring mental health problems
Adults experiencing mental health issues
Forestry Commission Scotland
Woodlands
£80,000
Outdoor Bound
Outdoor activities including multi-day trips
High need adults recovering from mental illness
Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services
Greenspaces
£83,180 over two years (£25,155 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
MINE (Mental Health, Innovative, Natural environment, Enterprise)
Nature-based rehabilitation
Adults with mild to moderate mental health issues and long term unemployed
Highlife Highland
Greenspaces
£79,200 over two years (£25,000 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
Energise Programme
Personal development programme using the countryside to provide confidence and cores skills to help towards social inclusion
Adults with mental health problems
Momentum Scotland
Greenspaces
£294,600 over three years (£100,616 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
CHANGES
Wellbeing walks
People with physical and mental health issues, specifically depression and anxiety
Paths For All with East Lothian Community Health
Greenspaces
£29,850 over three years
Walk with FEAT
Weekly outdoor walks aimed at improving physical and mental health
People with complex, severe and enduring mental health conditions
Paths For All with Fife Employment Access Trust
Greenspaces
£5,000 over two years
Public sector supported initiatives that involve greenspace more widely will also bring benefits. For example, the Central Scotland Green Network is a national development in the National Planning Framework 3 and will bring a range of wellbeing, educational and employment benefits to residents across central Scotland including young people experiencing difficulties and adults with mental illness.
In addition, the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park operates programmes aimed at young people such as the rural skills programme which helps tackle rural unemployment in their area and can include skills learned in woodlands and green spaces.
Local authorities, land-managing organisations and other non-governmental organisations also engage in a range of relevant programmes and projects.
Projects supported by the Scottish Government and public bodies include:
Programme Name
Description
Target Audience
Lead Organisation
Green Space Type
Resources (2015-16)
Youth Employment and Skills Training
Programme to equip unemployed young people in central Scotland with skills training and work experience
Young people from disadvantaged areas
Forestry Commission Scotland
Woodlands
£300,000
Woods for Health
Programme promoting links between physical and mental health including engagement with younger audiences and a focus on wellbeing
Disadvantaged communities
Forestry Commission Scotland
Woodlands
£60,000
Imbewu
Pilot project to engage disadvantaged young people in the outdoor and rural skills
Disadvantaged young people
Wilderness Foundation
Rural Estates
£135,160 over two years (£50,780 from Scottish Natural Heritage)
Change Cycle
Pilot project to engage young people involved in the criminal justice system in the outdoors using mountain bikes
Young people in the justice system
Venture Trust
Cairngorms National Park
£264,000 (£48,800 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
Outward Bound Courses
Residential outward bound courses
Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
The Outward Bound Trust
Loch Eil
£168,000 over two years (£27,598 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
Branching Out
Programme to improve health-related quality of life of adults experiencing severe and enduring mental health problems
Adults experiencing mental health issues
Forestry Commission Scotland
Woodlands
£80,000
Outdoor Bound
Outdoor activities including multi-day trips
High need adults recovering from mental illness
Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services
Greenspaces
£83,180 over two years (£25,155 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
MINE (Mental Health, Innovative, Natural environment, Enterprise)
Nature-based rehabilitation
Adults with mild to moderate mental health issues and long term unemployed
Highlife Highland
Greenspaces
£79,200 over two years (£25,000 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
Energise Programme
Personal development programme using the countryside to provide confidence and cores skills to help towards social inclusion
Adults with mental health problems
Momentum Scotland
Greenspaces
£294,600 over three years (£100,616 contribution from Scottish Natural Heritage)
CHANGES
Wellbeing walks
People with physical and mental health issues, specifically depression and anxiety
Paths For All with East Lothian Community Health
Greenspaces
£29,850 over three years
Walk with FEAT
Weekly outdoor walks aimed at improving physical and mental health
People with complex, severe and enduring mental health conditions
Paths For All with Fife Employment Access Trust
Greenspaces
£5,000 over two years
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-26583 by reference.