Bournemouth Parks in Mind project enjoying ‘gradual growth’ in pilot year claims project leader

The Bournemouth-based project which combines nature conservation with improving mental health and wellbeing has been “growing gradually”, according to Project Leader Peter Holloway.

The Parks in Mind initiative was started in October by the Bournemouth Parks Foundation and works in partnership with Public Health Dorset and Bournemouth Borough Council.

The aim is to get volunteers, some of which have mental health conditions, out into nature to improve their mental wellbeing and to meet new people.

Parks in Mind runs weekly sessions at various locations across Bournemouth and Boscombe, including Horseshoe Common and Shelley Park. Peter told Bournemouth Buzz: “Over a week we’re getting 15 or 20 people along over the three occasions that we meet.”

As we know there is a bit of a mental health crisis in Britain, so people being connected to the outdoors and the environment and giving people the opportunity to come out, have some fun, meet other people and be social is good”

Focus on mental wellbeing:

Peter claims the project benefits both the volunteers and the environment: “As we know there is a bit of a mental health crisis in Britain, so people being connected to the outdoors and the environment and giving people the opportunity to come out, have some fun, meet other people and be social is good.

“The council has budgets which are tapering all the time, so we are here to help add value to what the council does and pick up some of the things that perhaps they are not able to.”

I’ve had a day of feeling really good about myself and contributing to something bigger than me and I’m proud to have been a part of it so far”

One volunteer, Yasmin Dowling, 26, had been clearing away some gorse, rhododendron and non-native plants in Shelley Park.

She said: “I’ve had a day of feeling really good about myself and contributing to something bigger than me and I’m proud to have been a part of it so far.”

Another volunteer, Steve Emery, 57, noted some of the changes since the start of the project: “Certainly as this park goes we’ve done a lot of work. We’ve transformed the place.”

Future funding:

The project is currently in its pilot year and is mainly funded by Public Health Dorset, Bournemouth Council and Bournemouth Parks Foundation, with additional funding from the Postcode Lottery, White Stuff and Greggs.

Peter Holloway explained: “We hope to sustain the project for its value for people, wildlife and the parks. To do this it will need additional funding and support.”

For more information go to http://www.bournemouthparksfoundation.org.uk/our-projects/parks-in-mind/