We co-designed and piloted RSPB Nature Prescriptions with NHS Shetland in 2017. Since February 2024, in response to feedback from patients and health care professionals in Shetland and beyond, we started rolling out RSPB Nature Prescriptions to other health care professionals in NHS Shetland, SIC departments and Mind Your Head. Ongoing feedback and data gathering, qualitative and quantitative, will be crucial for developing more nature-based health interventions and projects.

Aside from Nature Prescriptions, RSPB Shetland is also working in a variety of areas to help people deepen their connection with nature for the benefit of people, places, biodiversity and climate. For example, we’ve supported GP surgeries from Levenwick to Unst improving their grounds for nature and people planting 500 trees, run nature-journalling sessions, provided bairn’s with loanable backpacks in partnership with Shetland Library, and hosted online talks with a variety of Shetland-based speakers covering a whole host of natural world topics including weather, geology, sea swimming, Mirrie Dancers, and the music of nature. We’re developing audio-trails with Healthy Shetland which can be used out and about or in e.g. a Care Home setting. We also create opportunities for people to be meaningfully more active through citizen science projects, surveying or practical conservation activities like fencing and tree planting. Follow RSPB Shetland on Facebook to keep informed!

RSPB are passionate about nature, dedicated to saving it. Since we started on our mission in 1889, the threats to nature have continued to grow, but we've grown to meet them too.

We’re now the largest nature conservation charity in the country, consistently delivering successful conservation, forging powerful new partnerships with other organisations and inspiring others to stand up and give nature the home it deserves.

With your fundraising support and donations to conservation you can help us to give nature a home.