Mission Statement
Our mission is to EMPOWER our local communities, fostering a deeper connection to the natural environment and enhancing Health & Wellbeing for all.
“Really good. So glad I signed up. Wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Went to a variety of environments. A friendly, relaxed well organised group.”
– Participant on one of our projects
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Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Provide opportunities to access the benefits of nature, promoting Equality, Diversity & Inclusion for all.
Offering projects to help those who would otherwise struggle to access local green and blue spaces.
E.g. Projects focussed on people with low mobility and long-term health conditions. Utilising our minibus and Exmoor National Park to take participants out into nature. Providing a social network, mental health benefits of being in nature and a relative increase in activity for the participants.
M
Movement Matters
Activities to improve movement and physical fitness.
Exercise and being active can reduce your risk of major illnesses, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer. In addition to increasing physical health, being active is one of the 5 steps to wellbeing and can benefit mental health. Our projects aim to allow people to be more active and utilise local facilities.
E.g. Project focussed on men who are overweight and wanting to be more active. Utilising walking/hiking to lose weight and gain confidence.
P
Positive Mental Health
Utilising local environments and green and blue spaces, to encourage social interaction and provide community support.
Our projects see mental health as important as physical health. Working on yourself through community engagement, social interaction or engaging in the beauty of nature will have a Positive impact on Mental Health
E.g. Using the amazing temperate rainforests on our doorstep in mindfulness exercises and self-reflection activities.
Opportunities for social connection
Encouraging social interaction and providing community support.
Activities that engage communities with projects that promote interaction and help overcome feelings of loneliness and isolation.
E.g. Isolated communities get the opportunity to come together with local ‘nature cafes’ to meet new people and build social connections and self-reflection activities.
O
W
Wellbeing & Health
Projects and programmes that focus on the ‘steps to wellbeing’
Through the prioritisation of the nationally recognised ‘Steps to Wellbeing’ (Connect, active, learn, give & mindfulness) the activities will provide the tools for individuals and groups to have a holistic understanding of the importance of mental and physical health.
E.g. From community engagement, mindfulness courses, Mental Health First Aid training, adventurous programmes to volunteering.
Experience Nature
Activities that explore the natural world and its benefits.
Spending time in nature is proven to:
- improve mental wellbeing
- reduce anxiety and stress
- boost feelings of happiness and self-esteem
- enhance immune system function
- Lower blood pressure and heart rate
- Reduce nervous system arousal
- Lower the feelings of depression
E.g. Children from socio-economic deprived areas taking part in a programme of activities which include learning about healthy eating alongside outdoor activities in nature.
E
R
Resilience & Overcoming Obstacles
Working as a group or individuals to look at outcomes surrounding resilience.
Stepping out of ‘Comfort Zones’ to build a tool kit of knowledge and experience for increased resilience. Coming up with applications to everyday challenges.
E.g. Using adventurous activities to help vulnerable young people build resilience and use of reflection help build indirect transfer of learning links to their wider life experience.