Access and Wellbeing

Co-Chair: Hannah Brooks, Chester Zoo

Co-Chair: Rob Comley, Chester Zoo

Link: Philip Box, Senior Policy Officer

Update from the Group:

The Nature and Wellbeing Strategy Group works collaboratively to influence policy and legislation that improves people’s access to, connection to and engagement with high quality nature, while strengthening recognition of nature’s role in public health and wellbeing.

The Group is advocating for new access legislation, including an Access to Nature Bill, alongside a robust the Access to Nature Green Paper, in line with recommendations from the APPG on Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature. The Group has recently written to the Government calling for more significant progress on the Access to Nature agenda and developed proposals to strengthen delivery within Defra.

The Group continues to advocate for the effective delivery of the Government’s 15-minute access to nature commitment, and is exploring opportunities to strengthen access outcomes through planning reform, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, the Land Use Framework and devolution policy.

It champions nature-based solutions for health and wellbeing, including green social prescribing and embedding access to nature within health policy, while working to ensure planning reforms support equitable access to high quality green and blue spaces.

For further information, contact Philip Box, Senior Policy Officer at Link.

Last updated: 26 May 2026