Hello everyone, David here doing my Blog for May. Apologies this one is a bit late, however it has been busy busy, busy. As with the easing of restrictions more of our groups and organisations have been able to get back to some kind of normality and thus Green Health has been on the agenda of many people. However, we can not complain as it means that there is once again opportunity for people to take part in some of the great Green Health opportunities we have in North Ayrshire. Here is to continued normality!
A larger part of May was Green Health Week! It ran between the 8th and 16th of May and was a great success. We were able to deliver a combination of virtual and in person activities for people across North Ayrshire. We managed to reach an audience of over 100 people with our virtual events. These included Beginner Bird ID, Coastal Environments and Kitchen Shoots and Sproots to name a few. These were a fantastic way of reaching people on much larger scale, socialising with each other and developing new skills and knowledge on a variety of outdoor topics. On a personal note it was one of the first times I was able to visit North Ayrshire to deliver sessions in person. It was a pleasure to deliver both a Health Walk and Green GymTM as part of Green Health. It reminded me of why we missed these activities so much as it provides us with that does of nature as well as that social connection to community that we have been missing. We walked through the woods of Ayrshire Central Hospital which is a favourite of mine at this time of year as the Bluebells carpet the woodland floor. We took part in some light horticulture as part of the Kilwinning Library Green Gym, and it was just so nice to give the garden some TLC with a group who treasured the opportunity to work outdoors once again with each other. If you want to know what Green Health opportunities are available where you are then get in touch with me at d.meechan@tcv.org.ukor 07773 200525.
Coming up in the next month I am starting to collect data on what Green Health opportunities have been happening over the past year – starting with January to December 2020. This is part of the North Ayrshire Green Health Partnership National Evaluation. I have been in contact with groups already and will be no doubt in contact with you soon to get a picture of what has been available for North Ayrshire. Tell us all about ways in which you supported people by taking part in Green Health when everything was closed. Was it delivering food parcels from fresh produce volunteers grew at your community garden? Did you deliver activities with community hubs? Let us know!
The Conservation Volunteers Community Network is FREE up until the end of the year 2021! If you apply now you still get a full year free from when you start and you are not tied into it for the following year! Why would you not want to try it out. Well use this link to find out about the benefits.
Your annual free membership entitles you to the following:
- Discounted public liability and personal accident insurance
- Exclusive access to TCV’s Community Network website; created to provide our Community Network Members with the support they need in one, easy to access, place.
- A range of discounts from TCV’s suppliers of tools, trees, seeds and equipment.
- Funding Support – TCV can help groups find funding through Grantfinder or Chestnut Fund
- Discounted access to our online conservation handbooks – the definitive guides to managing the countryside and green spaces
- As well as some other great benefits
If you want to know more about Green Health Week 2021, the details of the Blog, TCV Community Network Membership or any of our wider GHP work get in contact with me on d.meechan@tcv.org.uk or 07773 200525.
