Summary
The overall aim of this project was to improve the health and well-being of local communities surrounding the wood and build the evidence base in relation to woodlands and health.
A partnership between the Forestry Commission, Gateshead Primary Care Trust, Derwentside Primary Care Trust and the Friends of Chopwell Wood was set up in 2004. The partners developed a health project based at Chopwell Wood in the North East of England.
There were two elements to the project based on the interests of the two Primary Care Trusts:
- A General Practitioner (GP) referral scheme in which Gateshead GP’s could refer patients they felt would benefit from exercise to Chopwell Wood to cycle, walk, undertake T’ai Chi or to carry out conservation work.
- Four schools in Derwentside made four visits each to Chopwell Wood to carry out activities, learn about health and nutrition and about complementary therapy. These visits were in support of the Healthy Schools Standard which is a government initiative to promote pupils physical and emotional well-being.
The project started in June 2004. A project leader was employed from June 2004 to August 2005. Monitoring and evaluation was incorporated into the work from the beginning. The evaluation of the project, which included the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data, is now complete.
Summary of research, findings and recommendations (PDF-140K)
Key findings
Final report (PDF-471K)
Gateshead GP referral scheme:
- 33 referrals participated in Chopwell Wood based activities. 13 were from 5 locally targeted GP practices and 20 were from practices throughout Gateshead
- Completion rates for the 13 week GP referral programme were very high at 91%
- The majority of individuals continued to participate in Chopwell Wood activities post programme
- The impact on individual’s lives had been the improvement in physical health as a result of being on the scheme, particularly due to weight loss. Social networks had also been developed
- Proactive promotion of the project by the Project Co-ordinator contributed to 128 additional attendances at Chopwell Wood Health project activities.
Derwentside Healthy School programme:
- Over 200 young people and staff from 4 local schools participated in the programme
- Post programme there was a significant increase in the percentage of pupils regarding the wood as a healthy place (87% post, compared to 74% pre)
- Following the programme there was increased usage of Chopwell Wood amongst young people, staff and families
- Parents and staff felt very strongly that the programme had had a positive influence on the young people
- Schools and parents regarded the programme as being an effective tool for learning which contributed well to the National Curriculum.
See also: O’Brien, E. and Snowdon, H. (2007). Health and well-being in woodlands: a case study of the Chopwell Wood Health Project. Arboricultural Journal 30: pp45-60.
Funders and partners
This was a partnership project between Forestry Commission, Derwentside Primary Care Trust, Gateshead Primary Care Trust and the Friends of Chopwell Wood.
- Northumbria University Primary Care Development Centre carried out the evaluation of the project in 2004 and 2005
- The Friends of Chopwell Wood carried out a questionnaire survey in Chopwell Wood as part of the project
- Forest Research managed the overall evaluation for the Forestry Commission.
The project partners produced a leafet targeted at health and education professionals in the north east region. The leaflet outlines how projects like Chopwell Wood can help to meet current government targets:
Health and well-being - the roles of woodlands in the North East of England (PDF-336K)
Another leaflet outlines the key results of the Chopwell Wood Health Project:
Chopwell Wood Health Project leaflet (PDF-1442K)
Contact
Liz O’Brien
Forest Research
Social and Economic Research Group
Farnham
Surrey, GU10 4LH
Tel: 01420 22255
Fax: 01420 23653
Email: liz.obrien@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
