‘Wellbeing through nature’ comes to Marlborough and Pewsey

An eight-week wellbeing programme, organised by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and funded by Wiltshire Council, starts for those in the Marlborough and Pewsey area on Friday, August 31. It is one of nine such programmes running in different locations across Wiltshire.
The programme offers nature-based activities for adults experiencing or at risk of developing low to medium mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, low mood and stress. It is also aimed at people who might be feeling isolated as well as those who feel they may simply benefit from being outdoors and engaging with nature.

Melanie Vincent, Project Support and Administration for the programme, told marlborough.news: “The programme is really to improve people’s well-being and it’s amazing to see how people benefit from it.”

Although this is the first time the programme has been offered in the Marlborough and Pewsey area it has been running for nearly ten years in other parts of Wiltshire.  This year’s programme across the county is being funded by a Wiltshire Council grant of £24,408.

The Marlborough/Pewsey group will be based at Jones’s Mill Nature reserve. Transport is available. Participants will take part in a range of conservation, wild-life walks and nature based crafts such as whittling and wood carving. 

“All the activities are meaningful,” says Melanie. “Just by being out in a supportive group can help. There is no need to talk about your issues unless you want to. Everyone realizes that everyone else in the group is going through difficult times.”

“Most of the staff on the wellbeing team are conservationists who have had a lot of training about dealing with mental health issues. They all bring a range of skills.”

The programme is aimed at adults of all ages, there is no age limit. “If people are interested and can’t make it to this particular one there might be an opportunity to join another one nearby. We don’t want to exclude anyone and we want as many people to benefit as possible.”

If you are interested in joining the programme, you can contact Melanie Vincent on 01380 736 098 or by email to melaniev@wiltshirewildlife.org.

More information can be found at https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/the-wellbeing-programme