It’s been an exciting year for Ecominds, within a blink of an eye 2012 is almost here and we are more than halfway through the programme. To date, Ecominds has funded 130 projects; 15 have now completed their work and a further 16 are about to conclude their funded activities.
Our evaluation findings from the University of Essex look encouraging on the data gathered so far, with most participants reporting increases in wellbeing and self esteem (see more below). We hope this trend continues so our final evaluation data reflects the fantastic work that projects and volunteers are reporting.
Our 'Feel better outside, feel better inside' campaign continues to raise awareness of the mental health benefits of getting outdoors into nature, whilst also signposting the support available from Ecominds’ projects. We also gained the support of celebrity gardener Rachel de Thame, who spent a morning with volunteers from Urban Growth in Camden.
Media interest in Ecominds recieved a boost with BBC coverage of Freedom from Torture (see below) and even a mention in Hello magazine about beating the winter blues thanks to Rachel de Thame.
Enjoy the holidays.
Ken Ryan, Ecominds Senior Communications Officer
Initial evaluation findings from the University of Essex suggest that Ecominds is having a positive impact on the mental health of project volunteers. The findings so far are based on data collected through a sample of case study projects and a wider questionnaire sent to all 130 projects.
The case study data shows that the majority of volunteers have experienced increased levels of wellbeing, social inclusion, self esteem, health and connection to nature. The questionnaire data is equally encouraging with 50 per cent of volunteers stating increases in levels of self reported health, 62 per cent saying they feel more connected to nature, 61 per cent reporting an increase in positivity, and 30 per cent have an increase in sense of community belonging.
Commenting on the findings, Barry Watts Ecominds Programme Manager, said: “This encouraging data adds weight to the growing bank of anecdotal evidence and our own project monitoring, which shows how Ecominds is helping to transform the lives of volunteers. We hope the final evaluation findings are even better.”
Rachel de Thame, celebrity gardener and Gardeners’ World presenter, gave her support to our Ecominds campaign raising awareness of the benefits of outdoor exercise. The former model spent a morning with volunteers at Urban Growth, an Ecominds-funded project in Camden.
Commenting on benefits of being outdoors, she said: “At this time of year it’s vital that we all take advantage of the therapeutic effects of the great outdoors and look after our own mental wellbeing. As winter approaches, I will definitely be out rain or shine and hope you too will give it a go.”
A report by City & Guilds Centre for Skills and Development details the progress of London-based community food-growing projects in boosting the confidence of unemployed volunteers. The report uses London Ecominds projects PoLLeN and Urban Growth, as examples of schemes that are successfully broadening employment options.
Roots to work: Developing employability through community food-growing and urban agriculture projects is available online.
Congratulations to Emma Harris, whose magical sunset image won our Ecominds’ summer photo competition. Her photo and caption for 'Sunset in Dorset' struck a chord with the judges. A copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements is on its way to her.
The autumn competition closed on Friday 16 December. Visit the Mind Facebook to see the entries.
Ecominds has produced a promotional carrier bag for use in Mind shops across England. The paper bags feature our ‘Feel better outside, feel better inside’ message encouraging everyone to adopt a more active outdoor lifestyle to help improve mental health. And in keeping with an eco-friendly ethos, you can also return the bags back to the shop full of unwanted items for shops to resell.
Why not pop down to your nearest Mind shop and bag yourself a bargain?
Environmental charity, and fellow Changing Spaces award partner, Groundwork has produced a useful guide to writing a winning grant application. Applying for grants can be a daunting prospect for even the most experienced community organisation. The Preparing Your Bid guides take you through the process with some top tips.
As guide author Iman Kouchouck explains: “The key words in successful funding applications are content and clarity. If you can provide clear and concise answers to all the questions posed by the funder it will save time and frustration as well as convincing them that you are taking a professional approach to the application.”
Big Lottery Fund has announced a new funding programme: Communities Living Sustainably. The scheme will fund partnerships that bring together the public, private, voluntary and community sectors to build up to 10 sustainable and resilient communities to help deal with the potential impact of climate change.
BIG have up to £10m to fund 10 communities in England. There will be a development phase where BIG will provide £10K to develop delivery plans before making a final decision on the 10 successful communities. BIG are particularly interested in supporting the most vulnerable groups and communities who are more likely to be affected by climate change.
Aldershot Library gained an accessible learning garden thanks to 23 volunteers from Blooming Marvellous who gave over 400 hours of time to design, build and manage the project. The volunteers transformed a dreary patch of grass into a flourishing outdoor space where local people can relax or join in the planned workshops and learning activities.
Blooming Marvellous, Rushmoor Voluntary Services’ supported volunteering project, aims to make a difference to the gardens and green spaces. They are keen to help local residents and organisations manage and enhance the local environment whilst building happier and healthier lifestyles for themselves.
Gardeners from Grounded Ecotherapy have transformed the Queen Elizabeth Hall rooftop into a festive winter grotto. The garden also features an audio-visual installation created by the Hayward Huddle, an art group that brings young people and artists together at the Hayward Gallery. The rooftop garden was a popular attraction throughout the summer and will also play an important role in next summer’s Festival of the World. The garden is open daily until 31 December (except Christmas Day). Check out the Grounded Ecotherapy Facebook for pictures and further info.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Ecominds project at Idle Valley Nature Reserve scooped an award for its work in promoting heath and physical activity. Bassetlaw Physical Activity and Health Partnership recognised the project's work with an award in the Inclusive Schemes category.
Commenting on the award, the scheme’s project officer Beccy Lees, said: "We are thrilled that the achievements of Ecominds have been recognised in this way. The project helps so many people with mental health issues, by providing the chance to get outdoors and involved with nature conservation."
Freedom from Torture, whose Ecominds project works exclusively with survivors of torture, showcased the fantastic work it does with volunteers on prime time television. The Inside Out programme (London region) broadcast in November, featured a series of powerful accounts from service users and explored how green therapy is contributing to their rehabilitation from traumatic experiences.
Unfortunately, the episode is no longer available for viewing, but you can a read a blog about the filming on the Freedom from Torture website.
Ecominds volunteers from the Growing Clearer Minds project have contributed their favourite recipes to a cook book that’s now on sale to support future Ecominds work.
The tastefully presented book has a range of delicious ideas and is available from the Mind in Mid Herts Wellbeing Centre in Stevenage for just £3.00, or email Rosie Rigg to find out how to order a copy.
Brent Mind has produced a short film to promote their Growing in Mind Ecominds project. Volunteers and staff describe how they have turned the derelict patch of land close to Wembley Stadium into a thriving growing space. The film shows how fresh air, outdoor activity and companionship helps volunteers to improve their confidence and self esteem.
Film-maker Daryl Higgins spent a few days in June at Ecominds-funded Growing Well near Kendal, capturing the special feeling of the farm. Growing Well has teamed up with the Soil Association to promote the film who are hosting it on their website and You Tube channel.