Our new outdoor health project promises water based wellbeing opportunities

1 Medi 2022

Coed Lleol have begun working with Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum to provide free outdoor sessions to support the health & wellbeing needs of residents.

The Pembrokeshire Outdoor Health Project is funded by ENRaW (Enabling Natural Resources and Wellbeing) through the Welsh Government and a range of programmes are set to be delivered by Coed Lleol in partnership with Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum. These have been designed to enable people to benefit from spending time in nature, whilst putting the "5 Ways to Wellbeing" into practice - Connect, Take Notice, Learn, Give, and Be Active. 

This is also an exciting opportunity for us to begin delivering ‘blue’ social prescribing in addition to our well established and popular ‘green’ options. Green social prescribing involves nature-based interventions, whilst blue is involves water-based interventions such as wild swimming and fishing. Activity in or around water has been proven to lower anxiety levels, improve mood and enhance mental health.

The first ’Wellbeing through Wild Swimming Programme’ commenced on 17th August with Wild Swim Wales (a Visit Wales accredited provider). A ‘Coastal Connections Programme’ and a ‘SUP Wellbeing Programme’ will follow.

Our Project Officer Nicki Price said:

“It’s really exciting to expand our offer to include water-based wellbeing programmes. It’s great being able to support people to access the benefits of spending time in Pembrokeshire’s range of beautiful, natural spaces.

We know that spending time in nature is good for us, but getting outdoors can sometimes be hard – perhaps people don’t have the confidence, or know where to go, who to go with, or what to do when they get outdoors. It’s so rewarding helping to connect people to Pembrokeshire’s outdoor spaces, and seeing the positive impact that our programmes are having on their wellbeing” 

To find out more about Outdoor Health and social prescribing, visit: The Outdoor Health Project.