Nature Buddies in Redruth lifts peoples spirits and enhances wellbeing

Nature Connects CIC received £5,000 from the CrossCountry Rail Fund, enabling 18 people to attend a year’s worth of Nature Buddies sessions in Redruth.

Nature Buddies brings people together to connect them with nature in an adult forest school setting to tackle isolation, lift people’s spirits and enhance their overall wellbeing.

Nature Connects CIC was one of nine groups successfully awarded a grant by CrossCountry Rail which operates trains from Penzance to Liskeard, running through some of the Duchy’s major towns.

The CrossCountry Rail Fund supports community groups, charities and social enterprises across Cornwall, with priority given to projects based in towns where CrossCountry stations are located. CrossCountry Rail wanted to support communities, many of which are experiencing high levels of in-work poverty, social deprivation and mental health and well-being concerns.

A Nature Buddies participant said: “This group helps me to remember how important nature connection is for my wellbeing, I have a chronic illness and It can be difficult to find the time/energy to get out into nature regularly. I find that both the social interactions of the group and the time spent focusing on my relationship with nature lifts my spirits and inspires and motivates me. I have found a sense of community with the group, I always leave it feeling better and more connected to nature, other people and myself.”

Feedback from people attending Nature Buddies indicated:

• 100% of people come for the nature connection practices
• 100% of people come to support their emotional wellbeing
• 91% of people feel happier
• 91% come for the social connection
• 66% of people come to support their physical wellbeing
• 66% of people feel less lonely
• 66% of people feel less stressed

For more information about Nature Connects CIC’s work see https://www.natureconnects.org/

If you are a community group looking for funding, please view our available grants: Applying for a grant – Cornwall Community Foundation

If you are looking to support the Cornwall Community Foundation with a donation, click here: Online payment – Cornwall Community Foundation