Transforming the Trent Valley

1. Connecting Communities through Action (CCA)

CCA05 Connecting with Nature

Connecting adults with nature for improved mental wellbeing.

Project Summary

We are working with hard to reach groups across the Trent Valley Landscape to help reconnect them with nature. It is well documented that this type of connection has a positive effect on mental health and wellbeing. A number of individuals each year will be connected to their local and wider landscapes through our close working with community providers. Participants will begin to understand the river, wetlands and heritage of the area through a programme using ‘forest school’ type methods, including community gardening, guided walks and bushcraft activities.

How to get involved

New sessions upcoming

We are pleased to announce that we are able to offer new sessions at locations both in Burton and also now in Uttoxeter. We are working in partnership with East Staffs Borough Council to provide sessions at their Grow Garden site in Uttoxeter and at the horticultural centre at Stapenhill Cemetery.

The sessions at Stapenhill will run on Wednesdays in both the morning and afternoon and the brand new sessions in Uttoxeter will run on a Thursday afternoon.

The sessions will run for two hours and will be in blocks of five weeks.

Wild Wellbeing Activity Pack!

Download our Wild Wellbeing activity pack, full of brilliant activities to get active in nature and relax your mind and body.

Wild Wellbeing

BBC Soundscapes for Wellbeing

The BBC have launched their own Soundscapes mixer, giving you the opportunity to create the perfect relaxing track – just for you.

It is proven that time in nature can improve your mental health, so why not try creating your own mix from over 33,000 sounds from around the world, 17,000 of those from nature itself. Once you’ve finished you can download the file to play when you need a little time to unwind.

Create Your Soundscape

Project Legacy

A key legacy for this project will be to link participating groups with partnership organisations who have historically not engaged with hard to reach groups.

By evidencing the link between mental wellbeing and connecting to nature, other organisations, such as NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups, may be inspired to prescribe nature based activities for adults.

Project Lead

Simon Lowe
Transforming Lives Officer Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Connecting with Nature Blog

Three Ways to be Kind. Mental Health Awareness Week 2020.

18th May 2020 by admin

Join Nicola as she explains ways to practise kindness to yourself, others and the environment on this, the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020.

Transforming Lives, Connecting with Nature with Nicola and Simon.

14th May 2020 by admin

Join Nicola and Simon as they discuss some of the techniques you can employ to maintain your mental and physical well-being during the Covid-19 lockdown. We also learn more about the Transforming Lives and Connecting with Nature projects that Simon is leading as part of the Transforming the Trent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme and how you can get involved.

Happy 1st Birthday Transforming the Trent Valley!

15th April 2020 by admin

I joked with Louise (Transforming the Trent Valley Scheme Manager) that she has just had her first ‘Sarahversary’ and asked if we had to sum up our 1st year of the scheme what three words would we choose? For me, I chose easier, amusing and informative. Louise chose supportive, fun and challenge.

A Room with a View.

8th April 2020 by admin

I am gazing out of the window of my new makeshift home office across the green in front of my house. A variety of flowers have started to poke their heads up to enjoy the watery April sunshine.

Connecting with Nature Projects

Future Projects

Details of future projects to be delivered by Transforming the Trent Valley and its partners as part of the Community Engagement project will be posted here soon.

Current Projects

Completed Projects

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