Improving health the natural way

When I was elected as mayor, I was clear that devolution had to make a genuine difference to the people living in York and North Yorkshire. It could not simply be about new structures or big pots of cash; it had to be about improved health, fairer opportunities, and more connected communities.Our Natural Health Service, a new programme designed to harness the power of North Yorkshire's natural landscapes to help people live healthier, more active, and more connected lives, is one of the clearest examples of what that can look like in practice.Too often, we think about health only in clinical terms, hospitals, GP appointments, treatment after something has already gone wrong. But the reality is that health is shaped long before that point. It is influenced by whether people feel connected to others, whether they are active and whether they have access to green spaces, all playing a significant role in shaping their wellbeing.In York and North Yorkshire, one of our greatest strengths is our natural environment. With nearly half of North Yorkshire designated as protected landscapes, we are uniquely positioned to use these assets to improve people's health and wellbeing.Devolution gives us the ability to act on that wider picture in a way national systems alone cannot. It allows us to bring together health, environment, transport and community policy around a shared goal: prevention.Just as importantly, it allows us to try new approaches that reflect the character and strengths of our local area.In York and North Yorkshire, one of our greatest strengths is our natural environment. With nearly half of North Yorkshire designated as protected landscapes, we are uniquely positioned to use these assets to improve people's health and wellbeing.Through the Natural Health Service we are doing exactly that, connecting people with nature through structured, supported programmes that improve both physical and mental health, while strengthening social connection.This approach is not just a good idea, it is also backed by evidence. Our Natural Health Service pilot, which we funded through the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, delivered by the National Parks, has demonstrated measurable results. Participants experienced a 24% increase in mental wellbeing, a 17.5% improvement in social wellbeing and a 13.5% uplift in physical wellbeing. Loneliness was reduced by more than 15%.Behind these figures are real changes in people's lives: feeling calmer, more confident, more connected and more motivated to stay active. They show when we intervene early, we can meaningfully improve lives while reducing pressure on traditional health services.This matters more than ever. National evidence shows that while people are living longer, they are not necessarily living well for longer. At the same time, loneliness and inactivity are rising, placing increasing pressure on the NHS. Prevention is no longer an aspiration, it is a necessity.What the Natural Health Service demonstrates is that devolved powers allow us to respond to that challenge in practical, locally tailored ways. We have been able to move quickly, bringing together partners across sectors to pilot a new model, learn from it and begin scaling what works, by using mayoral investment funds. That ability to innovate at pace is one of the most important advantages of devolution.But this is not just about pilots. The real test is whether we can embed this approach into the way systems operate day-to-day.Nature-based support should become a normal part of health and care, not something exceptional. That means clearer referral pathways, more consistent funding for prevention and ensuring professionals feel confident discussing and recommending these options.There are positive signs. Those involved in the pilot already recognise the value of nature-based approaches and training has helped build confidence in green social prescribing.Devolution gives us the levers to turn that momentum into lasting change. It allows us to join up systems, target inequalities more effectively and ensure there is clear local accountability for delivery. It enables us to move from isolated initiatives to a genuinely integrated model of prevention.The Natural Health Service shows what is possible when we use those powers well. It takes a national ambition of the NHS long-term shift from treatment to prevention and makes it tangible in people's everyday lives.There is more to do, but the direction is clear. By investing in prevention, strengthening community-based approaches and making the most of our natural assets, we can build healthier, more connected communities.Devolution, then, is not just a constitutional change. It is an opportunity. And through initiatives like the Natural Health Service, we are showing how it can deliver real, measurable progress for the people we serve.David Skaith is the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire

Title

DEVOLUTION

Improving health the natural way

By Dave Skaith | 08 June 2026

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