Annual Report 2025-26
A year of growth, evidence & impact
This year, 547 people experiencing mental health difficulties took part in a Dose of Nature Prescription, helping them build confidence, strengthen their connection with nature and develop practical tools to support their wellbeing.
Our Annual Report 2025-26 looks back on a year of growth, learning and impact, while also looking ahead to the future of Nature Prescriptions.
At a glance
The highlights from our Annual Report 2025-26
84%
Reliably Improved Rate
Achieved by participants, compared with 69% for NHS Talking Therapies
68%
Recovery Rate
Achieved by participants, compared with 48% for NHS Talking Therapies
547
People took part in a Dose of Nature Prescription in 2025-26
£8
Social value generated for every £1 invested in our work
Calculated through research with the London School of Economics
100+
Young People supported through our specialist programmes
2000
Nature Prescription delivered since 2019
Nature is not simply the setting for our work
Nature is at the heart of the Dose of Nature model.
Each person referred to us receives a personalised Nature Prescription, developed and overseen by our psychologists and delivered with the support of trained Volunteer Guides.
Together, they help people discover how spending time in nature can support their mental health, both now and into the future.
Strong outcomes, meaningful change
Our clinical outcomes continue to demonstrate the effectiveness of Nature Prescriptions as a mental health intervention.
In 2025-26, participants achieved a recovery rate of 68% and a reliable improvement rate of 84%. Independent research also found significant improvements in life satisfaction, social connection and wellbeing.
For many people, recovery extends beyond symptom reduction. Participants frequently report returning to work or education, volunteering, reconnecting socially and developing new confidence in everyday life.
Meet Howard
My doctor referred me to Dose of Nature, I felt like I was living under a dark cloud. There were far more low days than good ones.
Each week, I met with my Guide, a Dose of Nature volunteer, in local green spaces. He was a wonderful person to spend time with and someone I felt able to talk to about anything. Most importantly, he helped me reconnect with something I'd lost: the simple joy of being in nature.
By the end of the programme, I was spending more time outdoors, connecting to nature and doing small things that made a real difference to my wellbeing.
Instead of waking up in the morning and sitting on the sofa, I go to a nearby bench with my flask of tea and watch the world go by. I notice the wildlife and environment around me and this simple lifestyle change has made a huge difference to my wellbeing. I feel more motivated to see friends and make plans, I’ve improved my diet and fitness, and have started to read again.
Before beginning the Dose of Nature programme I did a questionnaire and I was shocked how much my score improved doing the same questionnaire at the end of the programme. I think Dose of Nature is a wonderful organisation and I would recommend it to anyone.
Building the evidence
One of the year's biggest milestones was the completion of a randomised controlled trial with the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Conducted over two and a half years and involving more than 375 participants, the study is one of the most rigorous evaluations of a Nature Prescription programme to date.
Researchers found significant improvements in mental health and wellbeing and concluded that every £1 invested in a Dose of Nature Prescription generates more than £8 of social value.
Community that continues
One of the things that makes Dose of Nature different is that support does not end when a prescription finishes.
Everyone who completes a Nature Prescription can continue attending our nature-based groups for as long as they wish, creating ongoing opportunities for friendship, connection and time spent outdoors.
As one participant reflected:
"When Dose of Nature said, 'You don't have to go anywhere, you can come to our groups whenever you want', it felt so reassuring... knowing that Dose of Nature is still going to be there for you and that it's a growing community."
Supporting the next generation
This year we supported more than 100 young people through our Nature Prescription programmes and reached 194 students through our first school-based intervention. Students explored practical ways to support their mental health through time spent outdoors, discussion and nature-based activities.
We're excited to continue building on this work in the years ahead.
Thank you
Everything in this report has been made possible by the people, organisations and communities who support Dose of Nature. To our participants, Volunteer Guides, funders, healthcare partners, supporters and advocates: thank you.
Together, we are helping more people reconnect with themselves, with others and with the natural world.
If you'd like to support our work, please consider a donation.
Get in touch with our team for fundraising support or to find out more about partnering with us.