Naturally Social
Naturally Social was a project supported by the National Lottery Community Fund and Stanley Area Action Partnership and delivered by Durham Wildlife Trust. Based around conservation sites in Consett and Stanley, the project aimed to address people’s mental and physical well-being through engagement with nature in a friendly, social environment.
Through a programme of weekly group activities, volunteers were supported by the Naturally Social team to find connections in the natural world. This not only benefitted mental and physical wellbeing but also local wildlife.
The aims of the project were:
- To bring people together through interaction with their local natural world
- To address issues around physical and mental health and wellbeing at the earliest possible stage
- To build strong relationships in and across local communities
- To improve the communities important spaces and places
- To enable more people to fulfil their potential
- To support the management of the heaths and woodlands across North West
- Durham on DWT and Durham County Council countryside sites.
The five main benefits to being a part of the project were; meeting new people and developing relationships, getting fitter, learning new skills, helping others and your local area, and building mindfulness.
A case study from the project
Glenn finds new opportunities thanks to Naturally Social
Profoundly deaf Glenn, 33 from Tantobie, Stanley, is working as a Durham Wildlife Trust volunteer after a link up with the specialist Health and Wellbeing team within Reaching Out Across Durham (ROAD), a voluntary service, and Durham Wildlife Trust’s Naturally Social initiative.
Glenn enjoyed his time so much during his sessions with Naturally Social that he requested to become a formal volunteer for Durham Wildlife Trust. Now, giving one and a half days each week, Glenn works on the community allotment project in Annfield Plain and conservation sites in the local vicinity.
Mandy Bell, who runs Naturally Social, said: “Glenn has made such a difference already. He is enjoying the variety of duties and gets on well with the other volunteers. I feel so lucky to have gained such a fantastic worker. Durham Wildlife Trust believe there are so many benefits to getting involved in a project like this one. You meet new people and develop relationships, you get fitter, learn new skills and we bring people closer to their local natural world, which is beneficial to both physical and mental well-being.”
Glenn working with Durham Wildlife Trust as part of the Naturally Social project.
"We believe that there should be no barriers to people leading a fulfilled life. Sometimes people just need the help of another person to match their needs with an organisation, support group, project or key individual. A lot of good happens in County Durham, but it is not always easy to navigate services. I’ve loved introducing Glenn to Durham Wildlife Trust and likewise, Durham Wildlife Trust to Glenn. The development of this new relationship has been beneficial to both and I’m thrilled to have facilitated it."ROAD Health Trainer