FR:UK launches new funded Community Project

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