Chaired by Andy Bell, CEO of the North Devon Biosphere Foundation, and framed by a presentation by Andrew Carnie of his artwork and research alongside medical researchers, this chat will explore dimensions of how and why green social prescribing and creative health are good for us, individually and collectively. Other panelists work in and across organisations that emphasise an inherent synergy between wellbeing and environment through a range of services, particularly ones being called ‘green social prescribing,’ in health and social care.

Artist Andrew Carnie partners in research in neuroscience, biology, technology and visual arts. His “Winter Tree” project explores how the dendrite form in our bodies. The neurons in our brain mirror dendrite forms in nature; the tree in the landscape. The ‘tree-like’ structure is found everywhere allowing distribution, collection and connection: and in our brains, is ultimately core to how we think. His developing project “The MicroBiome” further explores how we are not independent of the world around us – and in us.

Roger Higam FRSA of The Network of Wellbeing leads this Devon-based social enterprise. The Network of Wellbeing was founded in Totnes in 2013 by Satish Kumar and Nigel and Margaret Woodward with the vision of people and the planet thriving together. Ther mission is to connect people, support projects and inspire action for the wellbeing of people and the planet. Someone from their management team will join us.

Over the last few years, Clare Coyne has been working across several biomes including: a social enterprise, two GP surgeries, her own counselling and ecotherapeutic practice and with 'Nature & Therapy', based in Ashburton. In these spaces she works in a range of roles: as a therapeutic counsellor, a facilitator and a forest bathing guide...At the social enterprise, ‘The Mindful Choice CIC’, she primarily offers nature connection training programmes with colleague Emma Thom. At 'Immerse in Nature', Clare provides a range of therapeutic spaces on a private basis, both indoors and outside. With Nature & Therapy, Clare has co-facilitated several green social prescribing forest bathing courses in collaboration with Stefan Batorjis at N&T and Newton West Primary Care Network.

This is one of five talks in June and July at Ashburton Arts Centre which form part of
If Trees Could Talk Devon 2026 International Art Biennale in conjunction with Significant Seams here in Devon, and the Tumba-Tumba Children’s Museum of Philippine Art, Batangas, Philippines.
See iftreescouldtalk.art and significantseams.org.uk
All five events are listed at wegottickets.com/IfTreesCouldTalk2026


Ashburton Arts Centre
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