The walk, attended by Edge Hill honorary doctor and former professional footballer Chris Kirkland, was an opportunity for people to connect with nature, boost their wellbeing and come together as a community. It built on the success of a previous event in October 2024, and another is planned for the Autumn.
Drawing on Professor Michelle Howarth’s research, the event championed nature-based, person-centered approaches to health and wellbeing. Her research, “Time for a Natural Health Service,” investigates how nature can enhance wellbeing and mental health when integrated with traditional medical care.
Dr Michelle Howarth, Professor in Health and Social Care and host of the event, said: “It was great to see so many people come together to walk and talk in nature. The range of walkers, including Chris, was truly amazing.
“The weather was perfect, and the campus provided a beautiful backdrop that encouraged everyone to connect with nature and each other. In a world often full of stress, where nature is sometimes overlooked, this walk was a refreshing reminder of the importance of taking time to appreciate our surroundings.
“The walk culminated in a mindfulness session led by Lauren from Wild Warriors Wellness CIC who provide a range of holistic practises, wellness programmes and wellbeing training workshops. It was a fantastic way to end such a lovely day. It allowed everyone to relax and reflect, making the experience even more meaningful.”
The event, attended by 92 people and started at The Sports Centre, was opened by Edge Hill’s new Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Young. He was joined by Chris Kirkland, a big advocate for mental health. Chris now promotes wellbeing walks and community activities following his own experience with a long-term addiction to painkillers, struggles with his mental health and nearly taking his own life.
The walkers were led on a 45-minute stroll around a section of the trim trail – which is open to the public for free – and around the University campus by Edge Hill’s Garden and Estate team.
One of the walkers, Emma Taylor, Social Prescribing Team Lead for the Ormskirk region, working through West Lancashire, plays a key role in ensuring that proactive care is fully integrated into all local practices, empowering patients to take control of their own health and wellbeing.
During the walk she said: “I really see the value in green social prescribing, walking and getting out there and talking, the health benefits are huge.
“We’ve got a lot of people that have become isolated, some people need a push or a commitment to make them leave the house and do something, but when they’ve done it, everybody reports that they feel better, so I am always looking for new groups that I can signpost people to.
“I wanted to come along today to support the event and connect with other people. For myself it’s an important part for my own mental health, going for a walk, going for a run, getting outside, even if it’s a quick walk around the block on my lunch break, it’s important.”
In attendance were groups from Wirral Forest Wellbeing, Wuji Wellbeing, a local football academy, and University staff from the mental health and wellbeing team, student services and social prescribing team.
Mike Bird, Managing Director of Wirral Forest Wellbeing CIC, a community interest company that provides free community-led walks, believes that “social prescribing is all about making connections – connecting to one another and connecting to nature.”
He continued: “A lot of people we work with suffer from acute anxiety and have lots of things going around in their heads. They are very socially isolated because they don’t have anyone to talk to at home.
“People these days seem to think that connecting through social media is the same as talking face to face and it’s not. Doing something like this, in person, outside, is so much more beneficial.
“The University team are doing an exceptional job with these Dose of Nature walks.”
Michelle shared a big thank you to the collaborative team behind the walk: Dr Victoria Foster, Dr Nicola Relph, Lynsey Roocroft. Yasmin Armstrong, Andy Rimmer, Faye Walters, Dr Millie Grindley-Bell, Dr Eve Allen, Shania Hudson and Corryn Brown, and members of the community who came along on the day.
July 14, 2025
