Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

As the Nature and Health sector continues to grow, it brings together professionals from a wide range of disciplines including healthcare, community organisations, research, and nature-based practice. With this comes a large number of acronyms and sector-specific terms that can sometimes feel unfamiliar, particularly for those new to the Network or the wider field.

This glossary has been created as a practical reference to support shared understanding across the Nature and Health Practitioners Network (NHPN). Whether you are a practitioner, commissioner, researcher, or partner organisation, we hope this page helps make communications clearer and more accessible for everyone involved.

Glossary of Acronyms

AGM – Annual General Meeting
AWP - Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
AWT – Avon Wildlife Trust
BANES – Bath and North East Somerset
BNSSG – Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
CIC – Community Interest Company
CYP – Children and Young People
GP – General Practitioner
GSP – Green Social Prescribing
HWN – Healthier With Nature
ICB – Integrated Care Board
NASP - National Academy for Social Prescribing
NBP – Nature-Based Practice
NHP – Nature and Health Practitioners
NHPN – Nature and Health Practitioners Network
NISPA – Nature in Statutory Practice and Allies
OT – Occupational Therapist
QA – Quality Assurance
RA – Risk Assessment
SIG – Special Interest Group
UWE – University of the West of England
VCSE – Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise
WENP – West of England Nature Partnership

If you notice any missing terms or emerging acronyms used within the sector, please feel free to get in touch so we can continue to keep this resource up to date.