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Our ideas for environmental resilience led activities is something which has not been done primarily as a main strand of work in the Borough before. As an organisation who work with marginalised groups, we are humbled to receive the support and guidance of passionate local councillors and volunteers.
Many individuals find that spending time outdoors improves low moods and promotes relaxation and calm. Environmental and Eco-therapy is an approach that rests on the idea that people have a deep connection to their environment and to the earth itself. Failing to nurture this connection can take a toll on well-being, particularly mental health.
Through incorporating eco-therapy, we explore the positive effects of being surrounded by nature and how this relieves stress, makes us feel relaxed, and has long-term value. The aim of this strand is to improve mental wellbeing through environmental and eco therapy, as it helps people become more physically active, gives individuals the skills to get back into work or training, and supports those who are lonely or socially isolated to broaden their networks.
Some key benefits of nature-led wellbeing programmes include:
Social connection: Ecotherapy in group settings can reduce loneliness and promote community solidarity.
Motivation to exercise: Encouraging physical activity which benefits both physical and mental health.
Increased mindfulness: Natural environments promote presence, calm, and stress relief.
Resilience: Children in rural areas show better stress coping and cognitive development.
Support for PTSD: Nature therapy is a promising intervention for veterans and others with PTSD.
Emotional wellbeing: Gardening and similar activities boost mood, calmness, belonging, and mental health understanding.
The Environmental Resilience strand is aimed at enhancing and empowering community members to drive environmental awareness and change at grassroots level. The work we have delivered has supported individual and social change, uplifted communities, and, most importantly, contributed towards a sustainable future.
Through group activities and one-to-one support, we educate and empower participants to understand that caring for the environment benefits both people and planet. Our outdoor courses are run in community settings and aim to increase understanding and participation in environmental resilience activities such as:
Food resilience
Composting
Gardening and growing vegetables & herbs
Biodiversity and nature walks
Crafts and upcycling
Reducing, reusing and recycling
Current support is delivered by volunteers, nature enthusiasts, and retired members of the community. One of our key initiatives, the ‘Nature and Natter’ programme, promotes a two-way relationship with nature – helping the environment while addressing personal challenges such as anxiety, depression, isolation, and loneliness.
The Blackburn with Darwen Climate Emergency Action Plan (February 2020) acknowledged a borough-wide climate emergency. Tackling climate change requires collective action from local authorities, communities, government, and businesses.
Our Environmental Resilience strand supports these aims by contributing to a safe, clean, and resilient borough. This includes addressing:
Health inequalities
Improved physical and mental health outcomes
Building an attractive and sustainable environment
Our work aligns with the local goal of creating a community that is physically, mentally, socially, and environmentally resilient.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, current sessions are delivered remotely. Should restrictions ease, outdoor group activities will resume with social distancing measures in place.
We run various courses, opportunities and programmes aimed to upskill members of the community to develop functional and employability skills to achieve work training skills. A range of activities are explored, addressing a variety of practical and emotional support to improve confidence and self-esteem. These include:
Guidance around health expectations in the workplace, such as pain management, fatigue issues and comfortable working environments
Practical support with CVs, job applications and interviews
Help with business plans, marketing strategies and publicity for clients who would like to become self-employed
Digital marketing and social media workshops
Flexible individual support and personal mentoring to help you access volunteering, work experience or employment opportunities
Access to adult education courses in subjects like literacy and maths
Benefits advice and advocacy for people balancing employment with a caring role
Our dedicated multilingual team of professional tutors offer the programmes in a group setting – both online and face to face, 1-1 tutor support and as individual learning. We offer individual support to learners who wish to develop functional skills in English, Maths & IT, and we welcome young people who may not have had a positive school experience. Our small group sizes and determination to provide you with individual support has contributed to our excellent progression levels. Over 75% of our learners move on to additional learning, employment, or voluntary work when they complete their time with us.
We offer work placements as well as group community projects within Positive Smiles for learners to gain valuable employability skills and make a positive contribution to the community.
Our courses and workshops benefit our learners through the range of support and flexible training provided to develop skills and progress quickly on to an apprenticeship, accredited course, or secure employment.
We work in conjunction with our specialist local services, ensuring we refer our clients to the appropriate agencies while fully supporting them throughout their experiences.
For information on the support we can offer email us at – info@positivesmiles.co.uk
Hazelwood
41 Bury Road
Haslingden
BB4 5PG
Central Buildings
Richmond Terrace
Blackburn
BB1 7AP
All Souls-Bolton
Astley Street
Bolton
BL1 8EY