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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Think Health – Think Nature

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Pictured: 200 Adult Green Health Home Packs bagged and ready for Badenoch and Strathspey Pilot.

Homes throughout Badenoch and Strathspey are being encouraged to take small, but positive steps towards improved mental and physical health through the provision of Think Health Think Nature – ‘Green Health Packs’, with over 600 distributed over the past few weeks.

The Highland Green Health Partnership is one of four Scotland wide pilot project areas aiming to share a vision by providing opportunities and building on existing resources that will support individuals and communities with improvements to their health and wellbeing – all while engaging with the natural environment.

The Green Health Home Packs funded by EU Leader Rural Development Funding are part of the Think Health Think Nature programme of activities being implemented by the Highland Green Health Partnership Events Programme.

The purpose of the Packs is to provide enjoyment, release some creative talents and possibly encourage some new hobbies during this period of lockdown.

The Packs have been funded by the Scottish Government’s “Supporting Communities Fund”, which is administered and distributed locally by Voluntary Action in Badenoch & Strathspey (VABS) as well as Think Health Think Nature.

The free health packs included several engaging activities for individuals and families.

Inclusivity is at the forefront of the project with resources encouraging achievable tasks and opportunities.

Each pack can be enjoyed by a person on their own or explored and shared as part of family activity.

Each recipient received an indoor and outdoor selection of activities based on their age, with the Stay Active Pack including pens, craft boxes, magazines, juggling balls, puzzle books, jigsaws and reading material.

The Green Health Pack – encouraging interaction with nature and the outdoors, includes birdseed, soil, plant pots and seeds and a selection of Nature Identification cards (courtesy of The Woodland Trust).

Tania Alliod, Green Health Project Officer, High Life Highland said:

“In Badenoch & Strathspey, COVID and the resulting lockdown has provided an opportunity for many to appreciate and re-connect with nature despite the stressful situation many households find themselves in.

“The Green Health Pack was a great opportunity to support this community project.

“We hope the packs not only provide enjoyment but encourage people to consider their health and well-being, get their hands dirty and explore some green health activity in a very accessible way.”

So far, the team have enjoyed fantastic feedback from the project through a number of families and individuals.  

Elizabeth Walker – Parker whose family were pack recipients in Badenoch and Strathspey said:

“Overwhelmed at the community support we are receiving.

“We just received our Stay Active and Green Health Home Packs.

“Can’t wait to do some home school gardening with the children!”

For further information on Think Health Think Nature and the Highland Green Health Partnership’s activities you can follow them on:

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