Firelight Outdoors
A Blue Light Nature Prescribing Project
Introduction
Firelight Outdoors is a bespoke engagement programme which has been put together by Cuerden Valley Park Trust in collaboration with Lancashire Fire Service, Lancashire Police Service and Northwest Ambulance Service.
We are creating a mental health and wellbeing hub within the park to support people serving in the Blue Light and associated services.
The programme delivers a mix of experience led conservation activities via regular weekly sessions in the park. It is a safe space for attendees to enjoy time away from the stresses of their work life.
” I just wanted to share feedback that I have received from my staff member attending the weekly Firelight project.
She has nothing but positive comments about the course so far and it’s given her a new lease of life, she can’t wait to attend each week! She’s been felling trees, making walking sticks, learning new skills working with wood and generally just having the time of her life she says. She comes home absolutely shattered but on a real high because of the conversations she’s had with others, friends she’s made, great food supplied and new skills learnt.
It’s a real joy to come in on a Thursday and hear how her Wednesday went and what she’d been up to! “
NWAS Participant
Background
This project builds upon an idea conceived by Andy Seddon. Andy’s working life, first in the Army and then with the Prison Service and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) brought many challenges and experiences which, over time led to Andy struggling with his own mental health. After leaving GMP, Andy’s struggles magnified and following a period of living rough, he lost his own struggle in December 2024. This was despite the love and support of his family and friends.
Andy knew from his own experiences that members of Blue Light services deal with deeply traumatic incidents daily and these can inevitably have a lasting and cumulative effect on an individual’s mental health and wellbeing. Rather than dwelling on his own challenges Andy was determined to help others who might be suffering from the same experiences.
His love of the outdoors and nature led Andy to volunteering at Terraced Gardens at Rivington. During his time there he made many friends and developed his ideas further.
The result was a programme he named Firelight Outdoors and this programme seeks to honour Andy’s commitment and provide a vital support programme for others who might be suffering with similar experiences.
You can watch Andy explain his ambition for Firelight in a 2020 Teaser here
Green Space and Mental Health
Many of us know, instinctively, that time spent in green space allows us to decompress and can reduce stress and anxiety. It can play a part in improving mental and physical health as well as reducing loneliness and improving life satisfaction.
Connecting with Nature can bring with it a sense of wonder and delight and can provide the opportunity for mindfulness and a sense of reflection. It is also likely that you will be more physically active, which in turn can boost your emotional wellbeing. Studies by several leading universities in the UK have found that participants of green social prescribing often feel life was more worthwhile following their attendance.
Delivery
The programme takes place in Icehouse Woods, near to our Berkeley Drive entrance and within our Orchard and Polytunnel growing spaces.
Sessions are hosted once a week over a six-week period.
Tasks are straightforward and the sessions will be delivered at a relaxed pace – ensuring it is enjoyable and rewarding.
All tools, PPE and instruction will be provided by the Cuerden Valley Park team (CVPT).
Practical activities through the programme would include:
- Coppice management, felling & thinning. Dead hedges and simple construction techniques.
- Construction of camping platforms in the Wood – learning greenwood working techniques
- Working in our polytunnel to germinate, grow, plant and harvest wildflowers and vegetables
- Conservation tasks within the park
- Foraging and cooking food harvested from the park
Outcomes
The programme will demonstrate the positive impacts which green space can have on our mental health and wellbeing.
We measure the impact of the programme on the attendees using The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) model. This is a simple questionnaire that participants will be asked to fill out before attending. It will then be repeated on completion of the 6-week programme.
PLEASE NOTE – The questionnaire is hosted on Cuerden Valley Park’s website and is confidential. The results are NOT shared with referring services under any circumstances. They are used solely to demonstrate the programmes impact.
Completion of the questionnaire will secure participants a place and arrival instructions will follow which confirm times and where to meet.
If you’d like to learn more about Firelight please get in touch:
