ENHANCED ACCESS OFFERED

ENGAGING with nature calms our senses and enriches us with the many health and psychological benefits of being in the great outdoors.  

This was amply demonstrated this week at an open day for Access to Nature; a new lottery – funded initiative at a recently created forest garden alongside Watermead Park in Thurmaston.  

Louise Hall, who is also volunteer coordinator at John Storer House, Loughborough, is behind the project and stresses its drive is to increase accessibility to nature for those coping with deprivation. 

“Today’s event is two – way. It’s to tell people what’s going on here who can refer those from our three client groups to sign – up as volunteer gardeners,” said Louise. 

Disadvantaged groups are to be invited to participate in cultivating and enjoying the one-acre privately – owned site, Mill Field Forest Garden, available to three categories of people including older people experiencing isolation and or dementia, parents with pre – school children and young people (age 11- 16) out of education and at risk of social isolation. 

“There’s quite a few Forest School leaders or teachers who work independently and home educators who have said they would love to bring people to the venue,” said Louise. 

“There’s a solid fence all the way round and a metal fence between here and the old school next door to keep the children safe, it’s hidden and a leader will be with them,” she added. 

Showing the riverside low – slung hammocks, the quiet leafy spaces and work areas she said there’s enough biodiversity next to the water to keep the garden free of pests like snails and slugs.  

“There’s a little orchard, the hazel is used for firewood, we do it all in harmony with nature, we don’t use any chemicals,” she added.  

Catherine Thomson of The East Midland Forest Education Network, which started as a sub – group of the learning outside the classroom initiative said teachers can opt into the programme as they want.  

“As part of Access to Nature we can support teachers who practice outdoor learning, taking children to the outdoors,” she said. 

Evelyn of Peace of Green was one of a group keen to make use of what the garden offers. 

“We currently work at Belgrave Hall in Leicester and the Canal and River Trust and with this project continue to promote positive mental health through connecting adults and children with nature including children in care,” said Evelyn.