1st February 2011

Alabaré officially launches Environment in Mind project

Alabaré has officially launched Environment in Mind, a conservation project for people suffering with mental ill health across Salisbury and South Wiltshire. 

Staff and volunteers attended a special launch event held at The Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne, Dorset yesterday (Mon 31st Jan).

Environment in Mind is a conservation project that Alabaré runs in partnership with volunteering organisation BTCV.  It is funded by Ecomind, a funding scheme run by Mind on behalf of the BIG Lottery Fund.

The aim of Alabaré’s Environment in Mind project is to encourage people with mental health issues to get involved in a range of countryside activities that will improve their mental and physical health, at the same time as benefiting local communities.  Activities could include path clearing, hedge laying or even dry stone walling. 

Some 35 guests attended the launch event including Alabaré and BTCV staff and volunteers along with representatives from other local conservation organisations such as The National Trust and Natural England.

During the event Clive Whitbourne from The National Trust gave a talk about how the Environment in Mind project benefits them and the work that the Trust does.  There was also a special talk from BTCV volunteer Tom Hodson, who himself suffers with mental ill health and knows first hand how outdoor activity can benefit personal recovery.

Volunteers who have already taken part in the Environment in Mind project were presented with certificates to mark their achievements so far.

“I am delighted that the official launch event went so well and was so well attended.  The Environment in Mind project is such a great initiative that will benefit so many people across Salisbury and South Wiltshire; not only will the volunteers experience the therapeutic benefits of working outdoors, the local community will also be able to enjoy and appreciate the effects on local areas of beauty and interest.” Said Barbara Shires, Environment in Mind Team Leader.

Anyone wishing to join this project can find out more information by visiting www.alabareinclude.co.uk/environment-in-mind/