Unpaid carers connect with nature at Sydney Gardens
Over the past few months, we have worked with The Carers’ Centre to run a series of five fortnightly activities at Sydney Gardens in Bath.
The sessions were designed to give unpaid carers and the people they support a welcoming and relaxed place to connect with nature, learn new skills and enjoy time together.
The programme was delivered through Parks4All, our project working to ensure everyone can experience the transformational benefits of parks and green spaces and funded by Heritage Lottery Fund.
Something different each time
Each session offered a different way to enjoy the park.
Participants planted colourful flowers to enhance the park and took part in a sensory walk, slowing down to notice its sights, sounds, textures and other small details that can easily be missed.
The activities created opportunities to explore nature at a comfortable pace, with everyone supported to take part in the way that worked best for them.
Creativity inspired by nature
Creativity flourished during a collage workshop led by Marion Hall from Buzz and Scuttle.
Using a variety of materials, participants created colourful artwork inspired by insects and bugs. The workshop gave people another way to connect with the natural world while learning skills and expressing their creativity.
Time to pause and connect
Alongside the activities, there was plenty of time to talk over a cup of tea or coffee, build new friendships and enjoy the supportive atmosphere that developed throughout the programme.
These shared experiences helped people feel connected while supporting wellbeing, confidence and a sense of belonging.
One carer described the difference that having time to pause had made:
“I was carrying a weight for such a long time that I no longer noticed it, until I had this moment to stop. It made me rethink things and I’ve since made time to stand in the garden for 20 minutes by myself with a cup of tea. It makes a world of difference.”
Making the most of Sydney Gardens
It has been wonderful to see participants embracing the sessions, supporting one another and enjoying everything Sydney Gardens has to offer.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, to The Carers’ Centre for developing and delivering the programme alongside us and to the volunteers who helped make each session such a success.
