Nature/Nurture

We are developing an exciting programme of projects to create opportunities and experiences for communities in Coventry to engage with their local green spaces to benefit mental and physical wellbeing through creative and cultural activities in natural woodland environments.

To date we’ve been fortunate to be supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, Coventry City Culture Trust, Coventry City Council Arts and Culture, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Severn Trent Community Fund, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and The National Queens Platinum Jubilee Fund. We continue be work to connect communities to each other, to their individual journeys with creativity and culture, and the natural world around them.

Why do we develop work like this?

Nature

‘No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced’

Sir David Attenborough


People are part of nature, we are the species most key to nature’s health and nature is key to our physical and mental health.

We need nature yet we are increasingly disconnected from our natural environment. The pressures and worries of our lives often mean that we have little time to find out how nature can support us and help us thrive. As Sir David’s quote makes clear, we don’t generally value and care about the things we haven’t experienced and connected with.

Through Nature/Nurture we want more people to experience the positive effects of the amazing natural environments in our city. As we connect, take notice and learn about these special spaces and understand our individual relationships with them we will naturally want to care and protect the places where we find sanctuary, calm and inspiration.

Nurture

5 Ways to Wellbeing – Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these steps could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life. We’re confident that people who join us on our Nature/Nurture journey will feel more positive and be able to move forward feeling more connected, active, aware, informed and feel a sense of achievement and pride from their contribution to this community project.

Connect
people will connect to their local woodland, with others in their community and connect
with creative and cultural activity.

Be Active
they will take part in creative outdoor experiences, this will keep them
physically and mentally active.

Take Notice
they will become aware of simple things that bring a level of contentment, space to breathe, opportunity to be creative and reflect, to take notice of their thoughts, feelings, needs and choices.

Keep Learning
people will have the opportunity to learn something new creatively, to learn about a new environment,
and also learn about themselves.

Give
they will contribute to the group, giving of their time, their thoughts, ideas and themselves,
contributing by taking part.