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Eco therapy garden planted to support wellbeing for local community
In March 2023, 68 trees were planted at an Eco Therapy Garden in Kirkby, Knowsley thanks to funding through the Trees for Climate Programme. The trees were planted by volunteers from the community, offering an opportunity to engage with some outdoor therapy and be involved with a project that generations will be able to enjoy.
Eco Therapy, a community-run scheme that offers personalised programmes of talking and eco therapy for the local community worked with The Mersey Forest's Community Forester to design the planting scheme.
The project is part of the Green Recovery programme that aims to kickstart a Green Recovery across Merseyside and Cheshire, boosting nature recovery and connecting more people to nature across the area. The project has allowed The Mersey Forest to work with 14 schools and community projects to create outdoor classrooms within their grounds.
Engagement in outdoor education has been shown to increase resilience, improve mental wellbeing, improve physical health, and increase a person's care and concern for the environment. The project will help community groups and schools to develop new areas of woodland and support them to use their outdoor spaces for the benefit of their users' mental health and wellbeing.
As part of the project at the Eco Therapy Garden, funding from the Trees for Climate programme has been used to support tree planting on the site. The Mersey Forest's Community Forester worked with the community group to design, implement and deliver the construction of an outdoor classroom and woodland planting on the site. This new space will provide a calming, outdoor space where a personalised programme of talking and eco therapy is provided to the community.
A community planting event was organised in March as part of an open day for the project, with nine volunteers helping to plant 68 trees on the day.
"It has been so educational for the project lead and volunteers to be part of the planning and planting of 68 native trees on our Therapy Garden," said Angela Davies, a founder and project manager of the Eco Therapy Garden. "We have named it The Jubilee mini forest, in remembrance of Her Majesty the late Queen. We had a lovely few hours planting the trees with volunteers coming together to improve their community. We could not have done it without the support of Mersey Forest, and working with Dave Armson was a pleasure.
"Our outdoor forest classroom will enable us to offer eco sessions to local children of all ages, and already it has been used for our Bat Find event attended by local adults and children. The trees will improve the biodiversity of not only the therapy garden but also the wider area and form a wildlife highway with other local conservation projects. We look forward to many years of Eco Therapy, caring for and watching our forest trees grow. Thank you, Mersey Forest!"
Eco Therapy, a community-run scheme that offers personalised programmes of talking and eco therapy for the local community worked with The Mersey Forest's Community Forester to design the planting scheme.
The project is part of the Green Recovery programme that aims to kickstart a Green Recovery across Merseyside and Cheshire, boosting nature recovery and connecting more people to nature across the area. The project has allowed The Mersey Forest to work with 14 schools and community projects to create outdoor classrooms within their grounds.
Engagement in outdoor education has been shown to increase resilience, improve mental wellbeing, improve physical health, and increase a person's care and concern for the environment. The project will help community groups and schools to develop new areas of woodland and support them to use their outdoor spaces for the benefit of their users' mental health and wellbeing.
As part of the project at the Eco Therapy Garden, funding from the Trees for Climate programme has been used to support tree planting on the site. The Mersey Forest's Community Forester worked with the community group to design, implement and deliver the construction of an outdoor classroom and woodland planting on the site. This new space will provide a calming, outdoor space where a personalised programme of talking and eco therapy is provided to the community.
A community planting event was organised in March as part of an open day for the project, with nine volunteers helping to plant 68 trees on the day.
"It has been so educational for the project lead and volunteers to be part of the planning and planting of 68 native trees on our Therapy Garden," said Angela Davies, a founder and project manager of the Eco Therapy Garden. "We have named it The Jubilee mini forest, in remembrance of Her Majesty the late Queen. We had a lovely few hours planting the trees with volunteers coming together to improve their community. We could not have done it without the support of Mersey Forest, and working with Dave Armson was a pleasure.
"Our outdoor forest classroom will enable us to offer eco sessions to local children of all ages, and already it has been used for our Bat Find event attended by local adults and children. The trees will improve the biodiversity of not only the therapy garden but also the wider area and form a wildlife highway with other local conservation projects. We look forward to many years of Eco Therapy, caring for and watching our forest trees grow. Thank you, Mersey Forest!"
Outdoor classroom installed alongside 280 trees and shrubs
This planting season, the Mersey Forest worked with several schools. Among them was Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School in Liverpool where 280 trees and shrubs were planted in early March.
The school initially enquired about the possibility of converting an old playground into a Forest School. While it was not possible to do this, a visit to the school highlighted another area which was unusable for play but would be suitable for a Forest School area.
This area became a key discussion point, and it was agreed with the school to plant 280 trees and shrubs alongside the installation of a new outdoor classroom space which will be used to deliver Forest School – with local charity, Everton in the Community, helping to deliver these sessions. 142 of these trees were planted by pupils at the school (including 60 students across two year 6 classes, and 31 pupils from year 4) which proved to be hugely enriching.
Laura Callaway of Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School said: "The project has enabled us to create our own forest school site, which will have huge benefits for our children. We will now be able to provide outdoor, forest school sessions for all of our pupils, providing brand new experiences for our children. Experiences that we believe will help our children to learn new skills and support their wellbeing. Forest school will also help our children to develop confidence, self-esteem, creativity and independence. We can't wait to get started!"
The project is part of the Green Recovery programme that aims to kickstart a Green Recovery across Merseyside and Cheshire, boosting nature recovery and connecting more people to nature across the area.
The project has allowed The Mersey Forest to work with 14 schools and community projects to create outdoor classrooms within their grounds. The trees provided for this project have been funded by the Trees for Climate programme, part of the government-led Nature for Climate Fund.
Interested in planting trees for an outdoor learning space? Get in touch by emailing: mail@merseyforest.org.uk
The school initially enquired about the possibility of converting an old playground into a Forest School. While it was not possible to do this, a visit to the school highlighted another area which was unusable for play but would be suitable for a Forest School area.
This area became a key discussion point, and it was agreed with the school to plant 280 trees and shrubs alongside the installation of a new outdoor classroom space which will be used to deliver Forest School – with local charity, Everton in the Community, helping to deliver these sessions. 142 of these trees were planted by pupils at the school (including 60 students across two year 6 classes, and 31 pupils from year 4) which proved to be hugely enriching.
Laura Callaway of Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School said: "The project has enabled us to create our own forest school site, which will have huge benefits for our children. We will now be able to provide outdoor, forest school sessions for all of our pupils, providing brand new experiences for our children. Experiences that we believe will help our children to learn new skills and support their wellbeing. Forest school will also help our children to develop confidence, self-esteem, creativity and independence. We can't wait to get started!"
The project is part of the Green Recovery programme that aims to kickstart a Green Recovery across Merseyside and Cheshire, boosting nature recovery and connecting more people to nature across the area.
The project has allowed The Mersey Forest to work with 14 schools and community projects to create outdoor classrooms within their grounds. The trees provided for this project have been funded by the Trees for Climate programme, part of the government-led Nature for Climate Fund.
Interested in planting trees for an outdoor learning space? Get in touch by emailing: mail@merseyforest.org.uk
Mental Health Awareness Week 2023
May 15th marked the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week, a national campaign aiming to tackle stigma and create a society that prevents mental health problems from developing and protects mental wellbeing.
Each yearly campaign has a different theme, with 2023's being anxiety. While anxiety is common and a normal emotion for us all, particularly during periods of stress (such as while dealing with major life events, exams, and financial difficulties), sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem. Focusing on anxiety for this year's awareness week, the Mental Health Foundation, who organise the campaign, hope to increase people's understanding of mental health by providing information on things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem.
Statistics show that physically active people have up to a 30% reduced risk of becoming depressed, and staying active helps those who are depressed recover. Therefore, outdoor activities can be an excellent way of supporting your mental health, and spending time in nature has been proven to help anxiety and depression.
The Natural Health Service has several outdoor activities available across Liverpool and west Cheshire, one of which is entitled Mindful Contact with Nature. Taking place in various locations throughout the week, these sessions are set up to encourage attendees to feel calmer and enjoy the peaceful trees and wildlife. Anyone is welcome to attend, so why not join us at Vickersway Park in Northwich, Castle Park in Frodsham, or Helsby Community Centre?
When asked how Mindful Contact with Nature sessions benefitted them, an attendee said: "Having had social anxiety for a long time, which I managed up until covid, I came across Mindful Contact with Nature and decided to give it a go. I met a lot of likeminded people who were all very kind. The classes were very helpful and calming. The two hours went quickly, and I always looked forward to the next class. So please give it a try, there is nothing to lose."
Another attendee explained: "I came to the activity in support of my wife who was experiencing anxiety problems. However, I have found the activity very helpful and useful in generally doing things at a more leisurely and enjoyable pace and avoiding urges to rush into things which on reflection do not need to be accomplished 'overnight'. Bob, the course leader, was very helpful, informative, and professional in running the course and setting our minds at ease, as well as being a very pleasant person to have known."
Find out more and sign up for a session: https://naturalhealthservice.org.uk/wordpress/cheshires-natural-health-service/
Each yearly campaign has a different theme, with 2023's being anxiety. While anxiety is common and a normal emotion for us all, particularly during periods of stress (such as while dealing with major life events, exams, and financial difficulties), sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem. Focusing on anxiety for this year's awareness week, the Mental Health Foundation, who organise the campaign, hope to increase people's understanding of mental health by providing information on things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem.
Statistics show that physically active people have up to a 30% reduced risk of becoming depressed, and staying active helps those who are depressed recover. Therefore, outdoor activities can be an excellent way of supporting your mental health, and spending time in nature has been proven to help anxiety and depression.
The Natural Health Service has several outdoor activities available across Liverpool and west Cheshire, one of which is entitled Mindful Contact with Nature. Taking place in various locations throughout the week, these sessions are set up to encourage attendees to feel calmer and enjoy the peaceful trees and wildlife. Anyone is welcome to attend, so why not join us at Vickersway Park in Northwich, Castle Park in Frodsham, or Helsby Community Centre?
When asked how Mindful Contact with Nature sessions benefitted them, an attendee said: "Having had social anxiety for a long time, which I managed up until covid, I came across Mindful Contact with Nature and decided to give it a go. I met a lot of likeminded people who were all very kind. The classes were very helpful and calming. The two hours went quickly, and I always looked forward to the next class. So please give it a try, there is nothing to lose."
Another attendee explained: "I came to the activity in support of my wife who was experiencing anxiety problems. However, I have found the activity very helpful and useful in generally doing things at a more leisurely and enjoyable pace and avoiding urges to rush into things which on reflection do not need to be accomplished 'overnight'. Bob, the course leader, was very helpful, informative, and professional in running the course and setting our minds at ease, as well as being a very pleasant person to have known."
Find out more and sign up for a session: https://naturalhealthservice.org.uk/wordpress/cheshires-natural-health-service/
Cheshire farmer plants new woodland and dynamic hedge
A farmer in Macclesfield, Cheshire has planted 8,977 trees and shrubs on his land as part of a planting scheme funded through the Trees for Climate programme.
The planting took place in five separate blocks across the land, including two hedgerows, and covers 1.9 hectares.
Planting was completed over five days with assistance from professional gardeners. The Landowner is trialling planting some trees with guards and some without.
Three areas of the new woodland link to existing woodland, expanding the diversity of tree ages on the property which the Landowner hopes will attract a variety of wildlife to the land.
The 35 ha farm, located near Macclesfield, rear dairy young stock and has the River Dane running through a section of the site. Owner, David Heath, had identified pockets of land that were facing north and weren't particularly productive due to them being prone to flooding or on steep gradients. Working with farm advisors, ELM Associates, and The Mersey Forest a plan was developed to plant in five separate blocks across the property.
Three areas of the new planting link the landowner's existing woodland and a neighbour's woodland. David explains: "We've tried to fill in the gaps. One woodland is a very old woodland. I have a woodland which I planted in the 1980s, which is in the middle, and now I've planted these three young woodlands surrounding it. With multiple aged trees, it'll be interesting to see if there'll be a real variety of animals and plants coming through due to the age range."
Two of the five blocks are hedgerows – one of which is a dynamic hedgerow measuring 450 metres and containing three rows of trees and shrubs (4,455 in total). Dynamic hedgerows are larger than the common hedgerow and have a much higher variety of species which are tailored in order to provide the maximum period of flowering and fruiting species for wildlife. They provide greater variety and quality habitats, nesting sites, and foraging sites. They are the "green highways" of the countryside and allow wildlife to travel from one woodland to another.
David said: "We thought we'd plant a hedge to sit alongside the bridleway. We were persuaded to plant a dynamic hedge, which has 20 different species in and is three wide. Hopefully it will attract birds and insects, providing a good corridor for wildlife and should provide a real feature, not only for me, but also for the wider community passing by."
Alongside the hedging, 60% of the planting has been done on a section that is on a hill on the property, which wasn't particularly useful for agricultural purposes or to care for. A section has also been left for wildflowers, helping to increase the biodiversity of the site.
David recently spoke to Woodland Advisor, Alice, to show her some of the newly planted areas that have been created on the farm - watch the video above.
The planting took place in five separate blocks across the land, including two hedgerows, and covers 1.9 hectares.
Planting was completed over five days with assistance from professional gardeners. The Landowner is trialling planting some trees with guards and some without.
Three areas of the new woodland link to existing woodland, expanding the diversity of tree ages on the property which the Landowner hopes will attract a variety of wildlife to the land.
The 35 ha farm, located near Macclesfield, rear dairy young stock and has the River Dane running through a section of the site. Owner, David Heath, had identified pockets of land that were facing north and weren't particularly productive due to them being prone to flooding or on steep gradients. Working with farm advisors, ELM Associates, and The Mersey Forest a plan was developed to plant in five separate blocks across the property.
Three areas of the new planting link the landowner's existing woodland and a neighbour's woodland. David explains: "We've tried to fill in the gaps. One woodland is a very old woodland. I have a woodland which I planted in the 1980s, which is in the middle, and now I've planted these three young woodlands surrounding it. With multiple aged trees, it'll be interesting to see if there'll be a real variety of animals and plants coming through due to the age range."
Two of the five blocks are hedgerows – one of which is a dynamic hedgerow measuring 450 metres and containing three rows of trees and shrubs (4,455 in total). Dynamic hedgerows are larger than the common hedgerow and have a much higher variety of species which are tailored in order to provide the maximum period of flowering and fruiting species for wildlife. They provide greater variety and quality habitats, nesting sites, and foraging sites. They are the "green highways" of the countryside and allow wildlife to travel from one woodland to another.
David said: "We thought we'd plant a hedge to sit alongside the bridleway. We were persuaded to plant a dynamic hedge, which has 20 different species in and is three wide. Hopefully it will attract birds and insects, providing a good corridor for wildlife and should provide a real feature, not only for me, but also for the wider community passing by."
Alongside the hedging, 60% of the planting has been done on a section that is on a hill on the property, which wasn't particularly useful for agricultural purposes or to care for. A section has also been left for wildflowers, helping to increase the biodiversity of the site.
David recently spoke to Woodland Advisor, Alice, to show her some of the newly planted areas that have been created on the farm - watch the video above.
Landowners encouraged to plant a lasting legacy on their land
The Mersey Forest is encouraging Cheshire and Merseyside residents with land suitable for tree planting to consider creating a woodland on their land, as part of a new campaign.
The Grow Your Roots campaign, which is being promoted by 13 Community Forests across England, sets out how landowners can leave a positive lasting impact on their land, by planting trees.
The Mersey Forest is the area's local Community Forest, with years of experience supporting landowners to plant woodlands on their land.
Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said: "Introducing trees on your land can be a great way to leave a long-lasting legacy for you, your family and nature, and is a positive action you can take to address our changing climate.
"Creating a new woodland will provide a home for wildlife, boost biodiversity and is a chance for you to put down roots in your local area that will last for generations."
Through the Trees for Climate programme, The Mersey Forest offers grants that cover up to 100 per cent of costs and 15 years of maintenance payments for tree planting projects across Cheshire and Merseyside. The team provides expert advice and will provide landowners with as much support as they need throughout the planning, funding and planting process.
David Martin, from Mottram St Andrews, Cheshire, had been considering planting a woodland on his land for some time, and has been supported by The Mersey Forest to bring his ambition to life. David said: "I had an idea about which trees I wanted and drew a sketch of a wood with paths and a glade near the middle.
"The Mersey Forest team took over dealing with the detailed design, obtaining the grant, and ordering the trees and planting materials. I now have a field which already looks bigger, with the tree guards cosseting the baby oaks, birch, Scots pines and others, hinting at the wood which I can see in my mind's eye.
"At the age of 73, I have something to look forward to when I am in my nineties and, indeed, the years between, as the saplings take form and the wildlife take advantage of new habitats. I just wish I had done it 20 years ago."
The Trees for Climate programme is a government-backed, multi-million pound woodland creation programme, which supports landowners to integrate trees on their land. The programme is part of the Defra- led Nature for Climate Fund, which supports England's Tree Action plan.
The tree planting season runs from October to March each year. Whether you have a small pocket of unused land or several acres of farmland, get in touch today to start on your journey to transforming your land with trees.
The Grow Your Roots campaign, which is being promoted by 13 Community Forests across England, sets out how landowners can leave a positive lasting impact on their land, by planting trees.
The Mersey Forest is the area's local Community Forest, with years of experience supporting landowners to plant woodlands on their land.
Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said: "Introducing trees on your land can be a great way to leave a long-lasting legacy for you, your family and nature, and is a positive action you can take to address our changing climate.
"Creating a new woodland will provide a home for wildlife, boost biodiversity and is a chance for you to put down roots in your local area that will last for generations."
Through the Trees for Climate programme, The Mersey Forest offers grants that cover up to 100 per cent of costs and 15 years of maintenance payments for tree planting projects across Cheshire and Merseyside. The team provides expert advice and will provide landowners with as much support as they need throughout the planning, funding and planting process.
David Martin, from Mottram St Andrews, Cheshire, had been considering planting a woodland on his land for some time, and has been supported by The Mersey Forest to bring his ambition to life. David said: "I had an idea about which trees I wanted and drew a sketch of a wood with paths and a glade near the middle.
"The Mersey Forest team took over dealing with the detailed design, obtaining the grant, and ordering the trees and planting materials. I now have a field which already looks bigger, with the tree guards cosseting the baby oaks, birch, Scots pines and others, hinting at the wood which I can see in my mind's eye.
"At the age of 73, I have something to look forward to when I am in my nineties and, indeed, the years between, as the saplings take form and the wildlife take advantage of new habitats. I just wish I had done it 20 years ago."
The Trees for Climate programme is a government-backed, multi-million pound woodland creation programme, which supports landowners to integrate trees on their land. The programme is part of the Defra- led Nature for Climate Fund, which supports England's Tree Action plan.
The tree planting season runs from October to March each year. Whether you have a small pocket of unused land or several acres of farmland, get in touch today to start on your journey to transforming your land with trees.
