January

Due to a number of categorised storms throughout the month, outdoor sessions were few and far between. However, a number of online quizzes and presentations were delivered with various groups, looking at the mind blowing natural world and Welsh place names related to topography.

February

Several sessions of coppicing were undertaken at Parc Bryn Bach in partnership with the biodiversity team at Blaenau Gwent Council, with some fab bracket fungi being spotted along the way.  Alongside this we were busy shortlisting and recruiting a new member of staff.

March

Several individual referrals and GWT trainees navigated their way across Llangynidr Common to Chartist Cave (using the sun on the return route), taking in spectacular views along the way.

April

We welcomed a new member of staff, Rose O’Hagan to the Wild Health Team.

May

Work continued with many groups looking at archaeology in upland sites, an introduction to woodland well-being and spring flowers.  Practical conservation was also undertaken at ERC and Danygraig.

Below: Bluebells in Parc Cwm Darran

June

Our Over 55’s Elderflower Group volunteered to help deliver some Wild Health sessions for Ukrainian refugee families at Magor Marsh. The families took part in sensory walks and natural crafts. They learnt about the reintroduction of our native water voles, used bat detectors to discover echo locating bats, and saw a glow worm for the first time.

July

Adults with learning disabilities took part in an insect hunt at Central Valley Nature Reserve in Ebbw Vale. One of our favourite quotes from the walk was: “That's the cutest little poo I've ever seen!” after a grasshopper pooed in the pot. Another staff member said "this is the closest to nature I've ever been."  "I never realised this sort of thing was available to people with additional needs"  (BG / RCT People First).

August

Open access Wild Health sessions were offered to residents of East Newport to support people to explore their local green spaces. Several families took part in tree ID and natural navigation in Ringland Woods and sensory activities at Lliswerry pond.

September

Some of our Wild Health participants chose to give back to the community by taking part in a litter pick at Pontypool Park!

October

Participants from Newport People First discovered how well nature can recover from fly-tippers during a walk led by fantastic volunteers at The Road to Nature. From over 1000 fridges and freezers to 1000s of flora and fungi!!

November

We began working in partnership with the Canals and Rivers Trust to deliver Wild Health sessions to Home Educated families with children with additional needs at Pontymoile Basin. These sessions have been themed around forest school and bushcraft activities with all ages getting involved in fire lighting, outdoor cooking and lots of games and quizzes!!

December

We established new links with Sense Cymru to provide a range of nature walks and sensory activities for adults with additional needs and their carers. Pictured are adults from Touchbase Cymru with their Christmas Wreaths at Magor Marsh. The wreaths were very tickly, and they smelled divine!!!

AND….

We couldn’t not mention Connor!

Connor was referred to the Wild Health project through a GP referral scheme and offered his reflections on the impact he felt from the project. For Connor, the WH sessions aroused a curiosity in nature and wildlife and empowered him to take further action.

Connor has since shadowed delivery staff, delivered sessions, and has now attained volunteer warden status at Silent Valley Nature Reserve, Cwm, Ebbw Vale.  Acting as a visible presence on site, dealing with queries from members of the public, undertaking surveys and site security checks, his achievements have been nothing short of remarkable. 

Facts and figures from 2022

• The number of people engaged on the project to date has well exceeded 200 individuals, not including partner agency support staff, who have been instrumental in embracing and promoting an ethos of accessing the great outdoors on a regular basis.  4 year target 400 individuals
• Work based conservation tasks on GWT Nature Reserves conducted by WHP participants exceeding over 600 hours
• Over 600 hours of practical conservation conducted on Local Authority Country Parks after signposting
• Over 200 sessions delivered
• Over 2500 hours of recreational activities accessed by participants
• Over 130 surveys completed giving us a baseline to measure distance travelled by participants
• 59 Participants have now attended 6 or more sessions with the Wild Health project.
• We have provided sessions at over 50 different sites enabling people to discover the benefit of nature on their doorstep.

Some thoughts from a partner agency member of staff:

“It has been fabulous to get out and about, learn about nature and wildlife and also connect with a diverse group of people.  The impact on this group of people has been fantastic and their verbal feedback supports this.  We have modified the activities to suit all the people attending and we have moved the location to meet the needs of some people.  We hope this kind of group can continue to support the wellbeing of the people we support.  Many of whom would not normally attend activities unless they feel safe and meeting their needs.  The group has been well-attended over a number of months and this is testimony to this success”.  James Temperton, IAS

So What’s in store for Wild Health in 2023??

We aim to continue to offer sessions to current groups providing long term support, whilst engaging with new organisations. To add value to this process informal training will be delivered to support staff, equipping them with skills and knowledge to carry the Wild Health ethos long into the future with their organisations and service users. Another focus will be pursuing the GP referral / Social prescribing agenda.