Wednesday Wanders is an eight-week project exploring the Yorkshire Dales National Park as “Green Spaces for Wellbeing”, with one session running per week. The project tested and delivered a new partnership between the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA), Pioneer Projects (PP) and Orb Community Arts (OCA).
It was designed and delivered in collaboration with Creative and Wellbeing Officers from OCA (Knaresborough) and PP (Skipton and Bentham). Staff and key workers from these organisations attended with the group each week.
Both OCA and PP are experts at working with and supporting people living with mental health conditions and/or feeling socially isolated. Social prescribers and wellbeing workers refer individuals to the activities run by these organisations. Key workers suggested the course to individuals they felt were ready to join.
All activities were designed to promote understanding and enjoyment of the YDNP and support participants to feel the wellbeing benefits that come from being in green space and connecting with the nature, culture and heritage of the YDNP. The visits included sensory wellbeing walks, bird ID with the YDNPA Wildlife Conservation Officer and meeting Alpacas near Semerwater.
Trained Mountain Leaders and Engagement and Wellbeing staff from the YDNPA led the visits alongside other professionals to add variety and encourage engagement with local partner wellbeing organisations.
Participant comments:
“I felt grounded, I looked forward to Wednesday because it allowed me to slow down and take time for myself”