Amanda Dawson

I am a registered nurse with a real passion for health and wellbeing that extends well beyond my clinical work. Over the years, my experience as a nurse has led me to appreciate that true health is about so much more than treating illness - it's about supporting people to live fuller, happier, and more connected lives.

That's why I'm such a strong believer in social prescribing. I love the idea that people can take ownership of their own health and wellbeing, making choices that are right for them as individuals rather than simply following a one-size-fits-all clinical pathway. Giving people that autonomy, that sense of agency over their own lives, can be genuinely transformative.

I'm also a huge advocate for the Connect Outdoors approach, because I have seen first-hand how powerful nature and the outdoors can be for both mental and physical health. Time outside, in green spaces and natural environments, can lift mood, reduce stress, improve fitness, and help people feel more connected to the world around them. To me, nature is one of the most accessible and effective therapeutic tools we have and one that is too often overlooked.

On a personal level, I try to live by these values too. I love walking, enjoying keep-fit classes, and spending time at home in my garden and with my animals. For me, that time outdoors and that connection to the natural world isn't just enjoyable, it's essential.