news & views Sarahjane Nutrition
NUTRITIONAL THERAPY, TOPSHAM, DEVON
Sarah Mansell Nutrition Dip NT CNM, BSc (Hons) m BANT.
Hi, my name is Sarah. As a nutritionist I look at the underlying causes of health problems rather than just the symptoms. Making it more likely that you stay healthy in the long term! I deal with chronic conditions such as pain and inflammation, anxiety and depression, poor digestion, weight issues and gaining optimal control of blood sugars to name but a few. Ultimately giving you the knowledge and tools to help yourself. Online consultations are also available www.sarahmansellnutrition.co.uk Tel: 07897 382338 | Email: sarahmansell@live.co.uk Covering Devon, Somerset, Cornwall and the South West.
Sing to the Land paintings of moor and river by Sue Ifould
artworks gallery
Station Road, South Brent, TQ10 9BE 01364 649424
September 29th - 25th October open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 2 pm other times by appointment sue@ifould.co.uk
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Helping veterans reconnect with nature
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EAVING a life of service for some veterans can be challenging. Whilst physical wounds are most often visible, recognisable and treatable, trauma related symptoms can be almost invisible sometimes leaving individuals and their families struggling with many wellbeing, mental health or social issues. Nature has been used to help veterans for centuries. During World War I (WWI), a specific therapy, often referred to as horticultural therapy, was established and offered to soldiers who were traumatized during combat, this later led to the development of a horticultural therapy. Rachel Phillips said: “At the Apricot Centre we know that spending time with nature reduces stress, lowers anxiety and reduces cortisol levels having worked within nature with young people and families both in woodlands and on the farm. But there is increasing research suggesting that connecting to nature can dramatically reduce symptoms of trauma and post traumatic stress disorder, improving mental health and general wellbeing. “ The Apricot Centre at Huxhams Cross Farm and Farmable started to work together in August this year. Farmable (see issue 62) is an innovative charity who support Veterans, Emergency Service Personnel and their families to resettle after suffering trauma by providing a therapeutic programme of rural and craft skills. Rachel said: “We were excited to partner with Farmable and help another part of our local community to reconnect with nature whilst improving their emotional and mental health whilst sharing our rural skills and agricultural skill knowledge in return we have some much needed support and help. “One project that the Veterans from Farm able have helped
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us with is our Farm Club and Woodland area. Since lockdown started in March, many of our wilder areas of the farm that we use for our Woodland Wellbeing days and our Farm Club became even more wilder. Although fabulous for biodiversity and our wildlife - we needed to tame the wild areas a little so that little ones didn’t have to tackle the sky high nettles and swarm of brambles to get to their mud kitchens and bushcraft areas. The Veterans from Farmable stepped in to help.“ On the wettest day of August, complete with thunderstorms, a group of veteran men and women met underneath the hazel trees to clear some of the wild areas to make space for little ones as well as sensitively managing the woodland so that it encourages native woodland plants to grow. The Farmable team worked hard to clear small cubby holes for a mud kitchen, a den building area and a large therapy tree to be accessible as well as making a path to the all important hand washing and compost toilet area all the while respecting the woodland and it inhabitants, learning about the uses of the plants for wellbeing or crafting. The site was transformed and ready for toddlers to attend the following week in super quick time. One of the Veterans wrote about the day: “We absolutely loved every minute of it!... We really hope that we can work with you in the future, even if it is just digging holes and clearing brambles!” Rachel hopes that the team will join them again for some harvesting and growing in the coming weeks and looks forward to continuing the partnership with Farmable. l For more information about Farmable check out www.farmable. co.uk for more information about volunteer opportunities or wellbeing workshops please contact rachelphillips@apricotcentre.co.uk or check out our website www. apricotcentre.co.uk
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