Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Natuurpunt Gent arranges walking events for both those facing poverty and individuals who have mental health challenges. The Ghent department initiated two sub-projects to achieve the same goal for the two target groups. “Because walking is good for both physical and mental health”, says Natuurpunt.
Natuurpunt Gent established two new projects, Anders Wandelpraten and Natuur om-armen, to enhance nature accessibility for people affected by poverty or psychological challenges. The organisation highlights nature’s restorative attributes because it heals people mentally and physically as they walk through its facilities. With local care institutions, Natuurpunt Gent works toward diminishing accessibility hindrances for these populations by leading guided relaxation walks that promote both social bonding and introspection.
“Let as many people as possible enjoy nature, also for those who find it less obvious and still experience thresholds”; that is the mission of Natuurpunt Regio Gent.
At Anders Wandelpraten, people with emotional or psychological vulnerability go on a walk in nature together with a nature guide.
“The goal is to offer people peace, to connect them with nature, with each other and with themselves. For this, we work together with Psychiatric Center Ghent-Sleidinge and Karus vzw”,
according to Natuurpunt.
“The Anders Wandelpraten project is very demand-driven, the care recipients can indicate what they need or what they have questions about,”
says Fleur Gabriël of Natuurpunt.
People with psychosis or bipolar disorder, in particular, take part in the walks.
“We notice that they find a lot of peace in nature,”
says Gwen Vanden Driessche of Natuurpunt.
“They can be who they are here, it doesn’t matter if they are mentally vulnerable.”
Natuurpunt will soon be organising a first walk with people in poverty.
“For them too, nature is a place to relax and play freely and for free”,
it sounds.
Natuurpunt Gent also organises walks in the Bourgoyen for people with reduced mobility. “Two extra guides will go out together with people who need a bit more attention or who experience any kind of threshold”, it sounds. “We will soon be organizing a walk for people who use Flemish Sign Language.”
What is the context behind natuurpunt gent’s nature walks for vulnerable groups?
The Belgian population faces dual challenges of mental health concerns and poverty, based on research which shows that one-fifth of Belgians experience psychological distress, and poverty affects approximately 12% of people (Statbel, 2023). The city of Ghent has a financial struggle rate of 15% among its population because many residents lack opportunities for recreational activities. The University of Ghent (2022) found that exposure to nature decreases stress and enhances mood levels, especially among disadvantaged people.
The largest nature conservation organisation in Belgium, called, Natuurpunt, has always championed the accessibility of environments under its protection. The former organised walks for reduced mobility users at their Gent branch, so they launched Anders Wandelpraten alongside Natuur om-armen as new initiatives that focus on mental health and poverty exclusion. Several nature programs throughout the Netherlands and Germany have confirmed that participant well-being increased by 30% after implementation (European Environment Agency, 2021) thus supporting Natuurpunt’s initiative.
The collaborations with Psychiatric Center Ghent-Sleidinge, Karus, and Welfare Link De Sluis-Onze Thuis ensure professional oversight, aligning with Belgium’s “Health in All Policies” strategy, which integrates well-being into community projects. Research by WHO (2023) has established that areas with urban greens have a reduced depression risk by 20%, which prompts Natuurpunt Gent to increase their operations based on this social equity awareness.
