Nature 4 Health to invest £12,000 Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund award in nature walks for wellbeing around Forres, Elgin, Nairn and more
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A charity offering free guided walks through local wildlife spots has been awarded £12,000.
Nairn-based Nature 4 Health (N4H) – who run excursions every Wednesday at 1.30pm from either Forres or Elgin – will invest the support from the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund in the Nature Walks for Wellbeing.
Project officer, Ruaraidh Milne, is grateful for the funding originally announced by Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, Kevin Stewart, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ruaraidh said: “This funding allows us to keep providing much needed programmes to the community. As well as the local walks which are within walking distance from the town centre, we run bi-weekly Friday walks in Aberlour. Every walk is an hour and a half, at gentle pace, looking at and learning about the surrounding nature, stopping to brew up a cuppa over a fire and have a biscuit. The weekly walks are open to everyone, free and there is no need to book. Please come and join us!”
The money will also part fund two 12-week Branching Out programmes.
“These support people using mental health services,” explained Ruaraidh. We take them out each week to learn new skills, meet others and enjoy the benefits of being in nature!”
The service consists of around three hours of activities per week in the woods. It was developed by the NHS and Forestry Commission. Activities are adapted to suit the client group, site and time of year, but generally include: physical activity such as walks and tai chi; conservation activities like rhododendron clearance and bird box construction; bushcraft and environmental art.
On completion of the course, clients receive certificates and are signposted to community-based leisure, volunteer and training opportunities. Many sign up to a peer mentoring scheme to assist on future programmes.
Programmes are to start in Forres and Elgin on April 17 and 18. Email admin@n4h.co.uk for more details and/or to book on or refer.
