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MIDSOMER NORTON LIFE
Nature Connect Sessions IN THE TOWN PARK N
ature Connect sessions were run by EcoWild CIC in the new Midsomer Norton Town Park every Monday in March 2021. The EcoWild team have been running naturebased wellbeing for several years and the approaches use active, contemplative and creative practices in inspiring living environments to support nature connection and improve both physical and mental health. In the sessions, participants could choose to sign up for Nordic walking or for Nature-based Mindfulness with Foraging walks and Creative activities. In the absence of a shelter (or trees that could be used to erect one), they were fortunate to have 5 dry Mondays. They also set up a camping toilet & tent with suitable sanitising arrangements as no public toilets were currently open.
Participants ranged in age from 30 - 76 years and came with a variety of health backgrounds such as arthritis, osteoporosis, recovering from cancer, recovering from operations, hip pain, heart problems, chronic fatigue, back ache, high blood pressure, hearing loss, diabetes and hypertension. Mental health challenges included PTSD, OCD, depression and anxiety. People came hoping to “improve my mental health, spend time with like minded people” and “to gain a greater sense of a oneness with the natural world”, to be able to “socialise and exercise after the isolation of lockdown” and to “meet others in a non judgemental setting, and improve my well being” and for “Exercise, friendship, peace and revitalisation in nature”. This is a sample of what they said afterwards:
"The five Monday morning sessions exceeded my high expectations. Yvonne is an inspirational leader and coach who showed/encouraged us to practice the Nordic Walking techniques in an ever changing range of walks around the Midsomer Norton area. We had a great group who responded well to her encouragement and group facilitation skills. The Town Park is a wonderful resource for the local community. Thank you Emily for continuing to 'do your thing' and for organising such a wide range of opportunities for a wide range of folk to tap in to, enjoy, interact with others and feel better about oneself - all of it in a safe, comfortable and nurturing emotional and physical environment. Keep up the great work! Clive." “I loved being outside with nature. It felt relaxed and peaceful. I suffer from anxiety and agoraphobia so I really valued the stimulus encouragement and friendship to leave my house and meet new people, and get some exercise. I am overweight with high blood pressure so it really started me on a good road to fitness. March was a perfect time to start as I usually wouldn’t go out at all in March . Thank you.” "Absolutely brilliant course which really helped me meet new people which is what I really needed."
