New Ecominds project at Idle Valley
Monday 7th February
Idle Valley Ecominds Project begins: improving mental health though conservation, horticulture and wildlife gardening.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is launching its new Ecominds project. Based at our Idle Valley Nature Reserve near Retford, this project has been set up to provide outdoor activity for mental health service users in the Bassetlaw area, with the aim of helping to improve mental well-being, increase confidence and self-esteem and provide the opportunity to learn new skills in conservation, horticulture and wildlife gardening.
The Wildlife Trust have recently received an Ecominds grant through Mind in association with the Big Lottery, allowing them to offer a free service to individuals with mental health needs, a big bonus in times of cutbacks in so many services. At its Idle Valley Nature Reserve the Wildlife Trust have been working alongside people who have experienced mental distress for the past 18 months, and this grant offers the chance to expand this work and offer more opportunities to a greater number of people.
One in four people will experience mental distress in a year, and Mind (the leading mental health charity) has recently completed research into the benefits of outdoor activity in green spaces, and found that the benefits were wide-reaching, particularly in areas of well-being, confidence and encouraging social interaction when these activities take place in a group setting.
James, a mental health service user who has recently joined the project said “I really enjoy coming, it gives me something to get out of bed for and I find it relaxing.”
The people coming to take part in the project will have the chance to get involved in practical habitat management within the Idle Valley nature reserve, a former gravel extraction site now being managed by the Wildlife Trust. The site is 450 hectares - roughly the size of 600 football pitches – and incorporates lakes, woodland and grassland all of which need careful management to maintain their benefit to wildlife.
A horticultural project is also underway, producing vegetables and fruit which can be used by volunteers and the wider community. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to take part in art and craft workshops, for example willow-weaving using the willow grown on-site. A low-impact shelter and workshop space is also on the cards and volunteers will be involved in designing and building this exciting community resource.
Speaking on behalf of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Ecominds Project Officer Beccy Lees said “I’m very excited about this project; I’ve already seen the benefit that it’s having in people’s lives and there is so much more that we can do now that we have this funding.”
Anyone interested in finding out about the project or know someone who may benefit from getting involved (this could be you) should contact Beccy Lees, our Ecominds project officer on 01777 713940 or visit our Ecominds page for more information.
