This May will once again be known as Naturally Healthy Month, as Active Devon and Public Health at Somerset County Council coordinate its Naturally Healthy Campaign on behalf of the Devon and Somerset Local Nature Partnership. Building on the success of Devon’s previous campaigns, and with the help of Somerset Wildlife Trust and Somerset’s Areas of Outstanding Nature Beauty, this will be Somerset’s first year in the programme, and it is hoped that it will be as successful as it has been for Devon in previous years.
Throughout the month of May, the participating organisations will be offering a wide range of activities, events and chances to celebrate their local ‘wild’ outdoor spaces, landscapes and environments and improve their sense of health and wellbeing. There will be something for people of all ages and abilities; from nature art and outdoor volunteering, to wildlife and singing walks– with a particular emphasis on supporting individuals who are less physically active, suffer with mental health issues or who feel isolated
Nature and Wellbeing Manager, Jolyon Chesworth from Somerset Wildlife Trust had this to say: “People connecting with nature is more important now, than ever before as worrying declines in our physical and mental health are reported on a regular basis; only 20% of children get the recommended levels of exercise, and rates of depression amongst teenagers have increased by 70%. Adults don’t fare any better. However, realising that we are a part of the natural world and embracing it can help turn these trends around. Somerset Wildlife Trust is committed to giving communities and individuals the opportunities to engage with their local wildlife in order to reap the benefits to their health and wellbeing and that is why the Trust is taking part in Naturally Healthy Month and encouraging everyone else to do the same”.
Health Promotion Manager, Louise Finnis from Public Health at Somerset County Council, said, “Naturally Healthy Month is aiming to showcase many of the wonderful opportunities that are in Somerset to have a really good day out that leaves you feeling good from the inside out. We hope that through getting involved in Naturally Healthy month events, people will be reminded or introduced to all the benefits that getting closer to the natural world can bring.
There is a need to bridge the gap between the natural environment, health care and community engagement. Working together we can try to remove barriers that prevent engagement and enable more people to promote their health and wellbeing easily and at lower cost.”
Jim Hardcastle from Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty said “Our countryside gives us ‘landscapes for life’. We know a visit to the countryside improves our mood and helps us to become more active. In Somerset we have three nationally protected Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; the Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills and the Blackdowns. We’re proud to play a part in Naturally Health Month and help people live life through these landscapes.”
The month of activities takes place during May and events are listed here:
http://slnp.org.uk/news/naturally-healthy-month-may-2017