We're looking for funders for our Wild Health Project. Please email Ian and Rose if it sounds like you may be able to help.
Wild Health is currently funded by the players of the National Lottery through the National Lottery Community Fund until December 2025. It was previously funded until March 22, through the Integrated Care Fund via Welsh Government.
Wild Health was developed and piloted during 2017 across Gwent, with support from the Co-Operative fund, and went from strength to strength. The current project continues to build on the pilot, offering recreational, social and work based outdoor opportunities for people who may benefit physically and emotionally from nature based activities.
Recent funding from The National Lottery Community Fund means that in addition to the project running for a further three years - therefore giving thousands more people around Gwent access to nature - Wild Health Officer Ian Thomas has been joined in the project by a new Wild Health Officer namely, Rose O'Hagan.
Wild Health Nature Walk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48qnmwO4HrA)
Integrated Wellbeing Network film about our Wild Health project and featuring our Gwent Wildlife Trust Wild Health officer Ian Thomas and Caerphilly Wellbeing Friends
Wild Health nature walk
About us
Wild Health is working in partnership with organisations across Gwent to provide inclusive access to the project. There is a real demand and desire for outdoor provision from groups and individuals who up until now haven’t experienced long term engagement and support from outdoor providers. Wild Health has been working with mental health and local delivery groups such as; Adferiad and Platfform, Mind Monmouthshire, Ty Gwyn, Rewild Families, Goldtops, Early Intervention Service, Girls Aloud, Newport People First, Blaenau Gwent / RCT People First, Coleg Gwent, Integrated Autism Service, Aderyn, Bridges Monmouth and GP referral group.
Gwent Wildlife Trust is proactively engaging with the health and well-being needs of local communities by running regular workdays and recreational activities at nature reserves, in local green spaces and in our wild places. These are geared towards, and are highlighting, improvements in health and well-being derived from engagement with the natural world. As well as the environmental and therapeutic benefits, the project is also supporting with other issues people are tackling such as confidence, self esteem, social isolation and employability.
The things I have learned with Ian and the people that I have met in the sessions have calmed me. No longer am I walking through an area in nature and just being stuck within my mind, now I’m stopping to look at the nature around me, the wildflower, the insects, the trees and every aspect around them.Wild Health Project participant
Wild Health - Our Impact
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Wild Health
Wild Health is increasing levels of community participation in nature conservation and recreation
Pauline Carter
People with mental and physical health problems are attending sessions to improve their well-being
Andy Rouse/2020VISION
We are working with communities to help them understand and appreciate wildlife
Pauline Carter
Wild Health is increasing collaboration and partnership working with organisations across Gwent
Get involved
For more information or to express and interest in taking part as an individual or with your community group, please get in contact through the form below or by emailing ithomas@gwentwildlife.org or rohagan@gwentwildlife.org