Wellbeing programme for men to get into nature returning to Salisbury
Wiltshire's Council and Wildlife Trust are putting it together
Wiltshire Council has joined with the county's Wildlife Trust to promote the next series of Wellbeing in Nature |newtab) - with sessions in Salisbury.
The programme is designed for men aged 20 to 59 and includes activities such as hiking, woodwork and bush craft skills, as well as stress management.
Following its success earlier this year, it'll begin again in Salisbury from next weekend (26th October) for a 12 week run.
A participant explained the positive impact the programme has had on their wellbeing: “I’m learning to take time to sit with myself and enjoy nature.”
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:
“It’s great that we’ve been able to continue working alongside Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on such an important initiative.
“The programme provides participants with the knowledge and practical tools they need to improve their mental wellbeing, and the support to create new habits to encourage positive behaviour change – which is why this is a great first step for those who are struggling.
“We want this programme to be as accessible as possible which is why one of them will run on a Saturday, to help remove a barrier for those who work during the week.
“A key objective in our Business Plan is to provide people experiencing mental health problems opportunities to recover within their community and the feedback we’ve received from previous participants highlights the importance of mental wellbeing initiatives.
“I would encourage those who find it hard to talk about their mental health to sign up and attend, it’s a safe and supportive environment.”
Dave Turner, course leader at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said:
“I can clearly remember the first time the group met - individual men who’d never met, all looking quite nervous, apprehensive, and scattered around the car park, gradually one by one approaching the minibus.
“It was so fulfilling to see their individual journeys throughout the 12 weeks, as their confidence and self-esteem grew, as we exposed them to a variety of nature-based activities, including whittling, willow craft, campfire cooking, poetry, wildlife walks and mindfulness, the purpose to equip them with tools and strategies for helping improve and maintain their own ‘mental health’.
“Personally, for me it was really satisfying and warming to see them start to support each other and start to form bonds, and to see those ‘lightbulb’ moments when you see them light up with smile across their faces! I feel that through this programme we have made a truly positive impact on individuals’ mental health and provided them with the means to continue that ‘recovery’ journey throughout their daily lives, as well as forming new friendships which will hopefully enable them to continue to support each other beyond the programme."