Words by Smiley Team
A social enterprise launched during lockdown in February have completed their first woodland course connecting people to nature, all delivered online.
The Smithills Collective is made up of a group of community and nature-based practitioners based at the Woodland Trust’s Smithills Estate in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
Together they believe in the power of nature connection to boost individual and community wellbeing, and using their skills and expertise to promote positive mental, physical and emotional health.
The group, supported by The Woodland Trust, designed their first project Wild REST to give participants - many of whom were keyworkers - a space to reflect and build resilience over the course of seven weeks. Each week of the project followed a different woodland theme including cooking, foraging, mindfulness, fire making, crafts and green woodworking.
But the lockdown meant the programme had to be delivered online, and instead of being supported face to face participants went to green space near their homes, as well as taking part in online workshops, receiving a weekly newsletter and joining an online Facebook community.
Despite the challenges presented by the lockdown, the project was a resounding success, with participants reporting increased levels of wellbeing and feeling more relaxed and optimistic about the future.
One commented: “I wanted to get outdoors more and I have definitely achieved that. I am walking every weekend and some lunchtimes, even in the drizzle!
“It was lovely to meet new people and spend time with others who have various interests and hobbies different to mine, and some who are very relaxed and chilled out. I hope I use that experience to slow down and try new things”
Another added: “I really learned that I needed to take time for myself, to focus on what calms me, and to involve nature within day to day life. I realised that I deserve to have time each week to focus on myself.”
Head of Development and Estate at Smithills, Tracey Garrett added: “Working to support the creation of the Smithills Collective, and allow the organisations within it to build a business has been one of our key objectives. Making a living from using the estate and also doing good in the process is a win win for everyone.”
To find out more visit the Smithills Collective website or follow The Woodland Trust on Twitter.
