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Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

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Nature, Health and Well-being CPD Course

Dates:  To be confirmed 

Venue: Online via Zoom 

 Due to unforeseen circumstances our Spring iteration of this course has been postponed. To register your interest in the forthcoming course please E: FHLS_CPD@exeter.ac.uk     

'This course is very informative and lecturers were highly knowledgeable in the fields.'  'It's interesting, thought-provoking and evidence based, appropriately structured & easy to follow.' Delegate Testimonial 2024   

This CPD course takes a positive view of the nature-health nexus. It investigates how natural environments can benefit the physical and mental health of humans in a variety of different ways and how this topic has become increasingly important in policy. 

Sea scene

What's the relationship between nature and health?

Sunset

How does the relationship work - by which mechanisms?

About the course

This course will explore how natural environments can benefit the physical and mental health of people in a variety of different ways. It will address the relationship between nature and health, how the relationship works, why this matters for the environment, public health and sustainability, as well as how you can apply these learnings in your own practice.

This course investigates the potential for the natural environment to be harnessed as a resource to improve human health and wellbeing.  The potential mechanisms, moderators, and applications for these health benefits will be explored, considering large data sets and key studies linking nature and exposure and health, both within the UK and around the world.

Led by national and international experts from The European Centre for Environment and Human Health, this four-day course will be delivered virtually. 

What will you learn

  • What’s the relationship between nature and health? 
  • How does the relationship work – by which mechanisms? 
  • Who does nature-health work for (and not work for)? 
  • Why does this matter for the environment, public health and sustainability? 
  • How can you apply these learnings in your own practice? 

CPD Accreditation

Accreditation to be applied for through The Royal College of Physicians.

Next delivery dates to be announced. To register your interest email FHLS_CPD@exeter.ac.uk  

Delivery Format

This course will be delivered via half-days fully online. The sessions will use a combination of participatory methodologies including presentations, group discussions and breakout groups.

The course will include a pre-reading week, reflection week, and some self-directed study. We advise you to make every effort to join all sessions to gain the most out of the course. But if you are unable to attend any of the sessions the sessions will be recorded and made available. 

Feedback and Certificates

At the end of the course, we will send you a certificate outlining your learning outcomes.  

The course is well suited to anyone across all sectors interested in the nexus of natural environments and human health. This can include SMEs, NGOs, and charities delivering nature-based activity programs, government agencies interested in nature or health, and local authority teams working in natural infrastructure, nature recovery, and public health. 

*No pre-requisites or specialist knowledge are required to undertake this course, which is well suited to interdisciplinary learning. 

 

Programme

(*The programme may be subject to minor amendments)

Pre-Reading Week: Delegates will be sent pre-reading material  

Day 1:  “What is the relationship between nature and health?”

09:15-09:55

Introduction to the course and its structure

Definitions of and exploring key concepts of ‘health’ and ‘environment’

09:55-10:00

BREAK

10:00-11:00

Introductions

11:00-11:30

BREAK

11:30-12:25

Nature and Mortality

12:25-12:30

BREAK

12:30-13:15

Review session

 Day 2:  “How does the relationship work?” 

09:15-09:55

Nature and physical activity

09:55-10:00

BREAK

10:00-11:00

Nature and stress

11:00-11:30

BREAK

11:30-12:25

Stress, mental health and social contact

12:25-12:30

BREAK

12:30-13:15

Review session

Day 3:  “Who does the relationship work for?” 

09:15-09:55

Diverse environments and embedding diversity

09:55-10:00

BREAK

10:00-11:00

Nature, childhood and healthy ageing

11:00-11:30

BREAK

11:30-12:25

Nature health inequalities

12:25-12:30

BREAK

12:30-13:15

Review session

Day 4: “Applying nature, health and well-being scholarship”

09:15-09:55

Social prescribing - evidence and evidence needs

09:55-10:00

BREAK

10:00-11:00

Environmental improvements and health

11:00-11:30

BREAK

11:30-12:00

Ensuring equity in nature-based interventions

12:00-12:30

Nature, health, and policy

12:30-12:35

BREAK

12:35-12:55

Review session

12:55-13:15

Wrap-up

 

Whether you study on-campus, virtually, or via a blended learning programme, you'll be supported by the University of Exeter's world-class faculty with wide-ranging opportunities to develop interdisciplinary and vocational skills. Find out more

Speakers

Contact us

Please contact the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Team Continuing Professional Development Team with any questions at FHLS_CPD@exeter.ac.uk