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Job centre attendees offered wellbeing at Brockholes

Brockholes Nature Reserve, a surprisingly serene spot despite it’s proximity to the M6, is a draw for many people whether or not they are avid wildlife watchers and birders.

As well as the families, walkers and retired couples who frequent the visitor village cafe, people are also flocking to the reserve for their mental health, and nature is the prescription.

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside has their own Nature and Wellbeing Service, and for the last eight years has been delivering sessions all over the North-West, helping thousands of people to learn new skills, work on their wellbeing and for many, crucially, access support quickly when NHS waiting lists have been long. 

One participant said - ‘I am slowly getting some of my confidence back and feel even when the course ends, I will keep enjoying nature as it is making me feel better’. 

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The small groups meet weekly and are introduced to a range of different activities, many of which are brand new skills. Things like lighting a fire, helping the Trust with conservation tasks like raking meadows, and learning new ways to connect deeply with nature are all layered within the sessions, bringing a fulfilling couple of hours which appeal to many people in a way that other mental health support they’ve tried doesn’t. 

Kennedy, who joined sessions after suffering from burnout in his job said - 'I didn't know how much I had in common with nature until I experienced the group sessions at Brockholes'. 

The latest sessions they’re offering are designed to help those who may not be eligible for other types of help. Those attending the Job Centre but with no requirement to work are welcome to refer into sessions if they live in Preston City Council’s tax area and are 25 or over - stay-at-home parents, people with long-term sickness, full-time carers and students. The sessions are completely free and the Trust even reimburses travel expenses up to £8. 

The sessions being offered are all thanks to the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund through Preston City Council. 

If you'd like to join a session, please fill in a referral form and one of our team will get back to you:

Referral form

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