Activities

01/03/25

FR:UK funds third Community Project – Shared Story CIC

As part of our 'Changing Seasons - Changing Environment' community project, we are proud to support Shared Story for two events in 2025.

Project Leader Jasmine said: ‘Shared Story CIC is grounded in the belief that reading is a human right and need. People have gathered to tell stories around the fire since time began. It is how we have understood who we are. 75% of our members describe having a disability or long-term condition. 86% of those who have attended our groups have experienced improved mental wellbeing,

Funding support from Forensic Response UK means we can expand our offer and run seasonal nature poetry walks

We’re really excited to offer a group in nature as many people who access our groups have spoken about being in nature as a coping strategy. We’re looking forward to sharing the impact these groups have had and to continue to build our relationship with Forensic Response UK’

25/02/25

As part of our 'Changing Seasons - Changing Environment' community project, we are proud to support Carers Plus Yorkshire for two events in 2025.

Alison Cutler, Development Manager at Carers Plus said:

"Carers Plus Yorkshire work with unpaid carers aged 8+ and those in the community facing isolation and loneliness.  Through the FR:UK funding we will provide two events for our service users to enable them to connect with nature and feel the wellbeing benefits of connecting with the outdoors.

The first event will be a spring planting picnic with one of our Ryedale groups.  Participants will have the opportunity to plant spring bulbs to nurture at home as well as enjoying the outdoor space to connect and socialise.

Our second event will be an outdoor event for young carers where they will complete activities with a focus on nature, the countryside and how the outdoors can help emotional wellbeing. 

Both of these sessions will offer much needed respite and social interaction for carers and those experiencing loneliness and isolation.

28/09/24

We are pleased to announce the launch of our “Changing Seasons – Changing Environment” Community Project.

FR:UK is dedicated to promoting the preservation of biodiversity, wildlife and protection of the environment.

Research undertaken by our partner’s at King’s College London as part of a citizen science survey funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Wellcome and published in Scientific Reports has identified that biodiversity is key to sustaining the mental health benefits of nature.

“Our results highlight that by protecting and promoting natural diversity we can maximise the benefits of nature for mental wellbeing…. natural diversity boosts our mental wellbeing.”

Ryan Hammoud, Research Assistant at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London

Source: Kings College London https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/biodiversity-is-key-to-the-mental-health-benefits-of-nature-new-study-finds

We recognise the positive effects that nature provides for mental wellbeing and as part of our ongoing community support we have researched organisations that provide support for people facing mental health challenges that can benefit from group participation within a natural environment.

We have developed a project that allows FR:UK to support worthy community organisations and at the same time enables us to demonstrate the value of preserving our natural environment for the benefit of all.

FR:UK is pleased to be able to support Mindful Photography UK, an organisation within our local community that uses a technique called ‘Mindful Photography’, sometimes known as contemplative photography, which teaches participants to nurture awareness in their surroundings. Participants notice that their anxiety levels reduce, they become more patient and are more motivated in their daily lives.

Our “Changing Seasons – Changing Environment” project allows participants to interact with their natural environment and contribute towards a group exhibition at the end of each seasonal project.

FR:UK is supporting the delivery of four seasonal projects to capture and document the change of each seasons within a specific community and to document any changes to the environment, either positive or negative. Beginning with ‘What does Autumn mean to you?’ Mindful Photography UK will deliver each of the four projects.

Project Delivery Lead Rebecca Rowan of Mindful Photography UK commented “We are thrilled to have received support from FR:UK, who are helping us highlight the physical and emotional benefits in being outside. Mindful Photography is not about skill or equipment, it is about an openness and curiosity in ourselves and our immediate environment. Mindful Photography allows us to recalibrate, slow down and take notice”.

To find out more about the impactful work that Mindful Photography UK does, please click here:

www.mindfulphotography.org.uk