Nairn charity Nature 4 Health urges people to connect with nature and each other for mutual wellbeing
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Small Nairn-based charity Nature 4 Health (N4H) has secured funds to kick-start some exciting new nature-based sessions in and around the town – offering people a chance to connect with nature and each other for mutual wellbeing.
Stephen Wiseman and Ruaraidh Milne founded the charity three years ago after working together with the Scottish Waterways Trust (SWT).
“The aim was to keep delivering some of the great community benefits we worked on at SWT and take them to a wider audience,” Stephen said.
“Over time we became greatly aware of the value of being outdoors.
“Childhood experiences and careers allowed us to benefit from this connection and a great deal of research over many years has highlighted a multitude of positive outcomes for all.”
He said that Nairn offered plenty of open spaces with a rich assortment of wildlife and fauna.
“These activities are designed to feed into each other and should attract a wide range of interest from various individuals and groups in the community,” Stephen said.
Nature Walks for Wellbeing have already been hugely successful in Inverness and Moray since 2012.
Stephen said N4H plans include 90 minutes of nature connection, easy walking and fire-brewed tea and snacks led by a fully trained guide.
“This will be held twice a month on Friday afternoons and offered free of charge,” he added. “It’s aimed at all people in the Nairn community to come along and enjoy the wellbeing aspects of nature connection as well as learning about the amazing flora and fauna we share this area with.”
The first walk this Friday heads out up the riverside in Nairn, meeting at the Jubilee car park at 1.30pm. No need to book, just turn up ready to ramble!
Another initiative launched by Nature 4 Health is the Nairnshire Naturalists Club.
Set up to promote the enjoyment, study and recording of wildlife in Nairnshire and further afield, the aim is to encourage a wider interest in natural history including the conservation of wildlife, habitats and geological features.
This community club will initially aim to meet once a month throughout the year through offering evening talks by speakers during autumn/winter in the Nairn Community and Arts Centre and organising nature days out to various Nairnshire habitats in spring/summer to record and enjoy a wide range of wildlife.
The first meeting will be in April.
Making strides in walking project
