Simon Lowe
Transforming Lives Officer
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Muddy Child
© 2020 Helena Dolby (Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust/WildNet)
Birdwatching
© 2020 Guy Edwardes/2020VISION (WildNet)
Connecting with Nature
© 2020 Adrian Clarke (Staffordshire Wildlife Trust/Adrian Clarke/WildNet)
Wildlife Surveys
© 2020 Matthew Roberts (WildNet)
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.
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.
Download our Wild Wellbeing activity pack, full of brilliant activities to get active in nature and relax your mind and body.
Wild Wellbeing Activity PackThe 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 SoundscapeJoin Nicola as she explains ways to practise kindness to yourself, others and #environment on this, the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020. #kindnessmatters #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
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.
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.
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.