The Grapevine Wellbeing Centre in Buxton offers support to individuals who require help with mental health considerations. Working with the Trust and Nestlé Waters, they have been giving people the opportunity to have more exposure to nature as this has positive proven benefits to mental health and wellbeing. People at the Centre have been learning all about this year’s project theme of recycling through several creative sessions centred on bees, wild flowers and birds. In a bid to encourage everyone to reuse and recycle plastic waste they have made bee homes, bird feeders and a cold frame on their premises and their allotment.

Marc Whitlock, Assistant People Engagement Officer at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said, “We are working with a brilliant and enthusiastic group of people at the Grapevine Wellbeing Centre who have risen to every challenge presented. There has been great teamwork in solving the (numerous) problems encountered in the process of making things using water and milk bottles. Next the group plan to turn some discarded car tyres into funky planters to spruce up the centre’s outdoor space and provide an urban oasis for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. We can’t wait to see how they turn out!”

As part of the programme, the group will be visiting some of our nature reserves to spend time finding and exploring the wildlife they have helped to provide for, in a more rural setting.

The Get Better With Nature initiative has now been running for four years and aims to promote understanding of the value of nature and the benefits it can have on our health and wellbeing. As well as inspiring local communities to participate in protecting nature and promoting biodiversity in their own, local environments. The project is a collaborative partnership between us and Nestle Waters and this year’s activities have received a generous grant of £27,000 from Nestlé Waters.

Priya Hamilton of Nestlé Waters said, “We are proud to be working together with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to help raise awareness and appreciation of the value of nature to mental health through our Programme. The activities carried out at the Grapevine Wellbeing centre are fantastic examples of how we can seek new ways to help enjoy nature benefits and to improve the environment.”