Accessing good nutrition advice and activity support can be a game changer in the disability community. A Green Prescription can make things easy, but not everyone knows it’s available so we’re here to take you through it.

How do Green Prescriptions work?

There are two types of green prescriptions: GRx for adults for individual people and GRx Active Families programme.

If your health is stable, you can ask your doctor or nurse if you or your whanau (family) are eligible. Entry level support offered will usually be some advice and tips on getting active and eating well to improve your wellbeing.

But if you’re like many of us who can find it hard to stick with things when temptation becomes a bit too much, you can ask your health professional supporting you for extra support.

Your Green Prescription will be sent to a ‘GRx’ advisor and they’re like your own personal coach to help you stay on track!

Your advisor will help you set goals and find local activities to keep active. They make sure to follow up with you making it easy to stay on track. This can include:

• Individual meetings with you to develop your personalised physical activity goals

• Getting your engaged in your local 10-week physical activity programme

• Supporting you to learn more about healthy food choices to improve health and wellbeing (you might be surprised by how delicious healthy eating can be and how much it affects your mental health!)

• Supporting you to get engaged in physical activities you’ll want to stick with.

After you completed the prescription, just like any other, you’ll head back to your healthcare professional to do a check in. They might suggest you continue or confirm with you that you’re now set up to carry on your own health journey.

Is the Green Prescription set up to support disability?

Absolutely. Whether your disability can create challenges around transport difficulties,  accessible facilities, or financial concerns; the prescription should be built to support you. The programme works with local organisations and support services to help overcome these challenges and make sure everyone gets the most out of it.

Does the Green prescription work?

The proof is totally in the pudding (or sliced orange) with the Green Prescription programme. We checked out the most recent survey which had nearly 3,000 responses from the community. Half of those who responded identified as living with a disability.

And it’s great news!

• 71 percent noticed positive changes in their health

• 57 percent felt stronger and fitter

• 43 percent lost weight

• 67 percent encouraged others to be active

• 74 percent became active by themselves

• 30 percent were active with a family member

• 22 percent were active with friends.

We took the time to look into them and from what we’ve seen and heard, Green Prescriptions are an awesome way for anyone including community to take charge of their health in a supportive and accessible way. You can find more research on the Ministry of Health website.

Still not sold?

Key benefits of the Green Prescription over doing your own thing include:

• 📑 A plan that works for you: Based on your ability and what you want to achieve, you and your advisor will come up with a plan that best suits you and is easy to track.

•  🏞 Improved wellbeing: It’s proven that keeping boosts confidence and independence hopefully improving your taha hinengaro (Mental & emotional wellbeing)

• 🙋‍♀️ Connecting with your community: Many activities involve group sessions, helping to connect with others and feel less isolated.

• 💪 Strength and mobility gains: Regular movement can help with pain management and maintaining independence.

By focusing on inclusivity, promoting overall wellbeing, and offering practical support, this programme is making a real difference for many Kiwis across Aotearoa.

If you’re keen to learn more about wellbeing, check out our wellbeing section

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