Wellbeing Boost with Nature’s Tonic
Doing more outdoors and benefiting from our stunning coast and countryside is one of the ways to boost health and wellbeing and reduce risk during the pandemic. The re-launching of the Nature’s Tonic project offers support to community groups and agencies to explore what they can deliver outdoors, where and how, to safely benefit their clients. With new delivery partner Vista Wellbeing CIC, the project will offer a range of online accredited training for staff and volunteers to gain the skills and knowledge to deliver outdoors. This will be followed by outdoor taster and training sessions later in the Spring, restrictions allowing, on accessible sites across North Devon.
“We are delighted to re-launch this project with a funding boost from Natural England and welcome flexibility from our other funders – National Lottery, Fullabrook CIC, North Devon Biosphere and the AONB. The challenges of continuing to support less active and isolated people during the pandemic is ongoing but using outdoor spaces can reduce risk and offer new opportunities,” said Jenny Carey-Wood, Manager of the North Devon Coast AONB. “We are piloting this approach across Braunton, Barnstaple and Ilfracombe so we welcome existing local groups providing adults with social, health, care or wellbeing support to use the project to build their confidence and help people get outdoors more.”
“Thanks to the support from National Lottery players, we will be working to empower people to access some wonderful outdoor spaces. Engaging closely with partners and organisations, we aim to break down the barriers people face. We will help them to explore some of the beautiful outdoor spaces the North Devon Coast AONB has to offer, while educating on the role that outdoor activity has to play on improving mental and physical wellbeing.” said Phil Rowtcliff from Vista Wellbeing. “Alongside the experienced team at the North Devon Voluntary Services, we are delivering a new element in Braunton of training ‘buddies’ to encourage and support isolated people to get outdoors and connect with nature. Please get in touch if your group is interested in our training or outdoor space audits.”
For more information about the Nature’s Tonic project contact Phil Rowtcliff of Vista Wellbeing CIC on phil@vistawellbeing.org.uk or Tel. 07900 041258
Funding Partners
