Enhancing student wellbeing through nature-based social prescribing: A social return on investment evaluation

• Social Prescribing links individuals to community assets to enhance wellbeing. • Nature-based Social Prescribing is signposting individuals to activities in nature. • NBSP generates between GBP £1.45 and £2.38 of social value per pound invested. • NBSP offers support to student mental health and wellbeing in higher education. Social prescribing (SP) is a non-clinical approach connecting citizens to community support to better manage their health and wellbeing. Wrexham University (WU) offers a Nature-based Social Prescribing (NBSP) pathway for students to connect with green spaces on campus to support their wellbeing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the health and wellbeing benefits of the NBSP pathway and the associated social value generated and the monetise the health outcomes from access and use of high standard greenspaces. The evaluation applied a Social Return on Investment (SROI) mixed-method approach. Data collected outcomes measures by means of the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and a ‘Time spent in nature’ question. SROI ratios were generated from two separate wellbeing valuation methods: the social value calculator and the mental health social value calculator along with contingent valuation (CV) questions. SROI value ratios suggest that for every GBP £1 invested in WU NBSP, generated between GBP £1.83 and £2.38 of social value. The results of the sensitivity analysis yielded a SROI ratio of £1:£1.45 and was generated following stricter thresholds for improvements in valuation criteria of high confidence and having access to a high standard greenspace. CV analysis indicates that 86% of students value accessing and using the WU NBSP pathway and associated health benefits. On average students who have an average weekly income of GBP £125 are willing to pay GBP £7 per session to access quality greenspace and the associated health and wellbeing benefits of the WU NBSP pathway. The WU NBSP pathway generated positive social values for students which is consistent with evidence with other NBSP SROI studies. Based on the growing body of evidence universities should consider prioritising investment in NBSP services on campuses. This investment could assist student mental health and wellbeing by linking them to local community assets at times that suit their academic timetables.