Green Health Packs to benefit environment and boost wellbeing across Caithness

6th August 2020

Green Health Packs have been bagged and are being distributed to community groups in a project that will bring environmental benefits across Caithness while also boosting people's wellbeing.

Caithness Voluntary Group has assembled 450 packs with help from volunteers and staff at Pulteneytown People's Project in Wick, while Caithness Rural Transport has helped get them distributed.

The purpose of the packs is to provide enjoyment, release some creative talents and encourage people to discover new hobbies in the outdoors.

The packs have been funded by the Highland Green Health Events Project supported by the EU Leader Rural Development Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage and Highland Council.

High Life Highland's Green Health Project Officer Tania Alliod co-ordinated the basic packs, with staff and volunteers from Inverness Botanic Gardens putting the gardening items together. The packs include compost, pots, plant seeds, bird seed and bird identification sheets.

CVG arranged bird feeders and gardening gloves to be added to the packs, along with bubbles for younger children.

The groups in Caithness that will be receiving them are Dunbeath and District Centre, Caithness Community Connections, Pulteneytown People's Project, Ypeople (supporting vulnerable groups), Home-Start (supporting families with young children), Caithness Klics (young carers project), Sinclair’s Bay Community Council, Castletown Community Council and Befriending Caithness.

The packs will then be delivered to people in the community.

CVG Development Officer Yvonne Hendry said: "I hope that people will find the packs fun and something that families can enjoy doing together. It is hoped that those households receiving one of these packs will find the contents stimulating, both physically and mentally, so that it helps wellbeing.

"In these uncertain times, gardens can offer a source of relaxation and tranquillity for everyone and there are many benefits to connecting with nature in such a positive way."

This Green Health Event/activity is part of a programme being delivered by the Highland Green Health Partnership which is aiming to encourage more of us to make use of our local green and blue spaces as part of Our Natural Health Service.

This project was made possible with funding from the EU Leader Rural Development Fund and Scottish Natural Heritage.

PHOTO

Yvonne Hendry (left) of Caithness Voluntary Group and Maysie Calder of Sinclair’s Bay Community Council with some of the Green Health Packs.