Parks In Mind to help people with mindfulness on Blue Monday

Parks In Mind is a programme jointly developed by Public Health Dorset, Bournemouth Borough Council and Bournemouth Parks Foundation.

The aim of the project is to help those who want to improve their health, learn new skills and meet new people in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, whilst taking part in outdoor activities which improve the environment.

Peter Holloway, Project Leader for Parks In Mind explained how it is a programme which people can either refer themselves to as a hobby or often some people have been suggested it by their community mental health team or GP to improve their mental wellbeing.

Peter said: “There are physical benefits, we do gardening, nature activities and health walks and you have the opportunity three times a week to come out. Also mental health benefits, meeting people again and I think that peer support is really valuable.”

Sessions take place weekly across various parks in Bournemouth and in today’s session, mindfulness was the focus in Knyveton Gardens to reflect the theme of Blue Monday.

Peter added: “It can be a difficult time of year for some people.  It’s a good time to focus on the good things, like our friends, we can meet and do positive things in parks like this and chat together and I think the mindfulness session today can help that.”

The events programme can be found here.