TCV 01 StrategyDoc FINAL - Flipbook - Page 14
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Case Study: Health and wellbeing
Reigniting outdoor passions
In North Lanarkshire, we run two health-focused programmes: Wild Ways Well and
Green Gym. Both are designed to connect people to their local green space through
activities such as arts and crafts, geocaching, citizen science surveys and wildlife
identification training. The goal of these sessions is to improve mental and
physical health and wellbeing by spending time together with others in nature.
One programme beneficiary was Lizzie. She openly admitted that she didn’t
feel in touch with nature when she first volunteered, but during her time with
us, we saw a transformation. Lizzie is autistic, which she explained can make
getting out into nature challenging. However, she found that through our
programmes, she was able to take part in environmental activities at her
own pace, learning new skills and making new connections that reignited
her passion for being outdoors.
“TCV’s projects
became a lifeline,
because they got me out
into the environment
where I could balance
myself.” Lizzie
Through the new skills she gained, she developed a deeper interest
and understanding of the environment around her, including how
to spot rocks and bugs when she’s out and about. She got to
experience wildlife conservation and found a particular fondness
for the waterways in her local area. Lizzie fed back that TCV
sessions made her fitter, healthier and more social, helping
her evolve her interpersonal skills as well as those that could
benefit nature. They also provided her with a much-needed
routine, getting her out of her house and encouraging her
to have meaningful conversations with new people.
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