The Scarborough sight loss charity using gardening as therapy
A charity is using the power of gardening to help people living with sight and hearing loss in North Yorkshire.Scarborough-based Coastline Sight and Hearing is running allotment sessions to give people the opportunity to come together to garden, chat and have plenty of cups of tea.Trustee Graham Varley said when he lost his sight in 2017 after multiple strokes he felt like his world had ended.He said: "I spent two years in bed – then I met this lot and my whole life just changed."
In Scalby, among the raised allotment beds, is a mix of people tending to an array of fruit and vegetables.The allotment is one of five in North Yorkshire established by the charity as part of a project backed by the National Lottery.
Mr Varley, who has developed Charles Bonnet syndrome, a condition associated with sight loss which causes people to have vivid hallucinations, said: "When you first lose your sight the world does end."But then when you get something like this, and everybody comes together, you grow again."Fellow trustee Dave Tayne said socialising and mixing with other people "gives you a feeling of worth".I've got a garden at home and I won't touch it."Coming out here, we've got a lovely day in the sun, a bit of fresh air, it's good for your health."Mr Tayne was declared legally blind in 2011 after years of eyesight issues, including losing sight in one eye after being hit by a firework when he was a child. "You could either be downbeat about it, sit in the house and sulk about 'oh poor me' or you can get out, mix with people and have fun," he said.
Sir Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at the University of Manchester, said gardening was a form of therapy which had physical and mental benefits. "The sensory experience is very important, particularly for people with sight or hearing loss. It can be a form of escapism and a release from tension or issues."There's that social connectivity too, you'll often be doing it with someone."Mr Varley said the allotment sessions had encouraged him to try something new.He added: "It gives you a great feeling of self-esteem. "When you do something you've never done before and it works, it gives you a big uplift."You think, well if I can do this, what can't I do?"
Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Courier
12 hours ago
- The Courier
Kirriemuir hub hosts launch of £1.5m dementia-friendly climate action initiative
Angus and Fife dementia centres will be at the vanguard of a pioneering climate change project for the nation's ageing population. On Thursday, Kirriemuir Connections dementia centre marked a £1.5 million National Lottery funding award for the Climate Wisdom initiative. It is being led by Outside the Box, a Scottish charity and social enterprise. Climate Wisdom brings together Meeting Centres Scotland, the Institute for Place, Environment and Society at the University of Heriot-Watt, and the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York. Scotland's first dementia meeting centre was established at Kirrie Connections. These are evidence-based social clubs for people with mild to moderate dementia and their families. Meeting Centres Scotland CEO Graham Galloway said the increasing effects of climate change are happening as the UK population is ageing. The 'make-do-and-mend' generations, from before fast fashion and throwaway plastics, could be among those to feel the greatest impact. 'In 2022, 19% of the population was aged 65 and above,' said Mr Galloway. 'By 2072, this could rise to 27% – equal to more than 22 million people. 'Older people are more likely to be the most affected because of underlying health conditions, reduced mobility, unsuitable housing, social and economic inequalities, and their limited role in climate planning. 'As we respond to climate change, it is essential to ensure everyone, including people living with dementia, can contribute to shaping our common future.' Climate Wisdom aims to support people to take positive, practical action on climate change. In the first two years, the project will focus on 13 meeting centres in Fife and Angus. Kirrie Connections said it was excited to be involved in this innovative project. 'Our members are keen to share their stories of how recycling was always a big part of daily life, hand-me-downs and no plastic tubs,' said a spokesperson. The lottery funding will support environmental arts, storytelling, reminiscence and nature-based activities. 'It aims to close the policy and practice gap between climate action and dementia support,' added Mr Galloway. Outside the Box said: 'This is a practical, hands-on and engaging project.' 'It will explore ways in which small everyday changes, that we can all do, will have an impact on climate change. 'Outside the Box is delighted to be leading a partnership of experts to ensure that older adults and people living with dementia are not only protected from climate risks but are leading the response.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Belfast Hills project helping young people with anxiety
It comes as more than a quarter of parents or guardians across the UK have said their child has struggled with anxiety, with access to nature and green spaces hoped to help. In a survey of more than 2,000 parents of children aged four to 17, conducted by Ipsos for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, over a quarter (30%) said their child struggled with anxiety or panic attacks in the past 12 months. Just under a quarter (23%) said their child struggled with stress and 18% said their child dealt with low self-esteem, while 22% of parents with a child as young as seven say their child struggled with anxiety over the past 12 months. Young people taking part in a National Lottery funded Trainee Ranger scheme at Belfast Hills Partnership. (Belfast Hills Partnership/PA) Just over a third of parents said spending more time in nature would help their child's mental health, and more than a quarter (28%) felt being able to access green spaces, such as parks, would also help. In the Ipsos UK-wide survey, parents said their child seemed worried about a range of issues in the last year, the top three being judged by others (27%), body image (21%) and safety (18%). Just under one in 10 (9%) mentioned climate change. The findings were released on World Environment Day by The National Lottery Community Fund, which wants to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in projects linked to nature and green spaces. In the last year, The National Lottery Community Fund has supported more than 50 environmental projects in Northern Ireland to protect and restore nature, encourage recycling and save energy, thanks to over £2 million of funding generated by National Lottery players. It is offering millions of pounds of funding over the next 10 years to projects and charities across the UK specifically focused on restoring and regenerating nature. People across Northern Ireland can apply for National Lottery Awards for All grants of between £300 and £20,000 for environmental projects, through The National Lottery Community Fund's website. Belfast Hills Partnership is one of the projects in Northern Ireland that is supporting the mental health of young people, including 19-year-old Kai who has found getting out in nature life-changing. Young people taking part in a National Lottery funded Trainee Ranger scheme at Belfast Hills Partnership. (Belfast Hills Partnership/PA) Kai is taking part in the National Lottery funded Trainee Ranger scheme at Belfast Hills Partnership. 'Growing up, my experience of being in a green space was in a football pitch. I didn't know the whole world of foraging and conservation existed. When having a rough time, I gave Belfast Hills Partnership's yearlong Trainee Ranger scheme a go,' he said. 'I got to explore different parks and forests and learnt loads of new skills, like foraging for food and then cooking it outside, hiking in the Belfast hills and protecting animals and local habitats. We had full days of learning about bats and types of birds, which I was really interested in. 'The positive effect on my mental health was instant. Being out in the fresh air and having a purpose really changed my life. Meeting like-minded people my age and having something practical to look forward to, helped me start a better path, one I never dreamed I'd be on. 'I got my strimming licence through the project, and I'm now working as a gardener, as well as being a Volunteer Ranger for Colin Glen Forest Park. My days are all about being in nature and I love it.' John Rose, environment lead at The National Lottery Community Fund, said mental health is a complex area. 'While there is no one single solution, parents are telling us that access to green spaces and nature could play a part in helping their child's mental health and we know this is backed up by other research,' he said. 'At The National Lottery Community Fund, we know people are increasingly concerned about the environment but we can empower them to take action to improve it as we provide funding, from £300 for small grassroot organisations to hundreds of thousands of pounds for more established organisations.' He added: 'If you have an idea for a project that will restore or improve your local environment, whether that's a tree-planting project, a community garden or a recycling scheme we're urging you to get in touch and apply for a grant at
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Western Telegraph
Belfast Hills project helping young people with anxiety
It comes as more than a quarter of parents or guardians across the UK have said their child has struggled with anxiety, with access to nature and green spaces hoped to help. In a survey of more than 2,000 parents of children aged four to 17, conducted by Ipsos for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, over a quarter (30%) said their child struggled with anxiety or panic attacks in the past 12 months. Just under a quarter (23%) said their child struggled with stress and 18% said their child dealt with low self-esteem, while 22% of parents with a child as young as seven say their child struggled with anxiety over the past 12 months. Young people taking part in a National Lottery funded Trainee Ranger scheme at Belfast Hills Partnership. (Belfast Hills Partnership/PA) Just over a third of parents said spending more time in nature would help their child's mental health, and more than a quarter (28%) felt being able to access green spaces, such as parks, would also help. In the Ipsos UK-wide survey, parents said their child seemed worried about a range of issues in the last year, the top three being judged by others (27%), body image (21%) and safety (18%). Just under one in 10 (9%) mentioned climate change. The findings were released on World Environment Day by The National Lottery Community Fund, which wants to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in projects linked to nature and green spaces. In the last year, The National Lottery Community Fund has supported more than 50 environmental projects in Northern Ireland to protect and restore nature, encourage recycling and save energy, thanks to over £2 million of funding generated by National Lottery players. It is offering millions of pounds of funding over the next 10 years to projects and charities across the UK specifically focused on restoring and regenerating nature. People across Northern Ireland can apply for National Lottery Awards for All grants of between £300 and £20,000 for environmental projects, through The National Lottery Community Fund's website. Belfast Hills Partnership is one of the projects in Northern Ireland that is supporting the mental health of young people, including 19-year-old Kai who has found getting out in nature life-changing. Young people taking part in a National Lottery funded Trainee Ranger scheme at Belfast Hills Partnership. (Belfast Hills Partnership/PA) Kai is taking part in the National Lottery funded Trainee Ranger scheme at Belfast Hills Partnership. 'Growing up, my experience of being in a green space was in a football pitch. I didn't know the whole world of foraging and conservation existed. When having a rough time, I gave Belfast Hills Partnership's yearlong Trainee Ranger scheme a go,' he said. 'I got to explore different parks and forests and learnt loads of new skills, like foraging for food and then cooking it outside, hiking in the Belfast hills and protecting animals and local habitats. We had full days of learning about bats and types of birds, which I was really interested in. 'The positive effect on my mental health was instant. Being out in the fresh air and having a purpose really changed my life. Meeting like-minded people my age and having something practical to look forward to, helped me start a better path, one I never dreamed I'd be on. 'I got my strimming licence through the project, and I'm now working as a gardener, as well as being a Volunteer Ranger for Colin Glen Forest Park. My days are all about being in nature and I love it.' John Rose, environment lead at The National Lottery Community Fund, said mental health is a complex area. 'While there is no one single solution, parents are telling us that access to green spaces and nature could play a part in helping their child's mental health and we know this is backed up by other research,' he said. 'At The National Lottery Community Fund, we know people are increasingly concerned about the environment but we can empower them to take action to improve it as we provide funding, from £300 for small grassroot organisations to hundreds of thousands of pounds for more established organisations.' He added: 'If you have an idea for a project that will restore or improve your local environment, whether that's a tree-planting project, a community garden or a recycling scheme we're urging you to get in touch and apply for a grant at
