Green spaces
Being in nature is a brilliant way to boost your mental health and wellbeing.
Being in nature can involve going for a walk, taking up gardening at home or through a community project, or simply by sitting in a green space and enjoying your surroundings.
Local greenspaces
We’re lucky in East Lothian to have beautiful green spaces and parks to visit and explore. Why not visit one you haven’t been to in a while?
The Woodland Trusts have created handy tools to help you find your closed greenspaces and woodland areas:
Walks in East Lothian
Visit East Lothian has put together a list of guides to walking routes in the area. The guides include useful information including the time it would take to complete the walk and key points of interest along the routes.
Ideas and resources
The Woodland Trust has a wide range of activities for adventures in the woods including identifying wildlife, fun and games for the whole family and foraging.
The RSPB has resources to help kids and families connect with nature, from simple activities they can do at home or at school, to wild clubs, fun articles and family-friendly reserves and events.
Ideas from Mindful on a daily mindful walking practice.
Information from Thrive on why gardening is good for you mental wellbeing.
A factsheet from Mind on nature and mental health.
The Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Thriving with Nature’ guide can help you make the most of the our natural spaces to boost your wellbeing
Judy Paul, Newbattle Abbey Forest College Co-ordinator, has wrote us a blog about different nature activities you can do in May – Spring Sensations May 2021
Taking notice
Taking notice is also one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Taking notice of our thoughts, emotions and surroundings is a great way to stay present and pay attention to our needs. Taking notice of things we’re grateful for, big or small, is a great way to boost our mood and appreciate our surroundings.
Learn more here about the other ways to wellbeing on our Five Ways to Wellbeing page.
Organisations and projects
Amisfield Walled Garden is a community space for local groups and projects to promote health, education and wellbeing.
The Belhaven Community Garden (BCG) is run by Sustaining Dunbar project and provides a space for local residents, community groups, staff and patients to take part in wellbeing activities.
The Backlands community garden in Dunbar is run by The Ridge and provides a community space and grows organic produce for local projects and businesses.
The East Lothian Council Countryside Rangers run events and workshops with the local community and posts regularly on social media promoting sustainable management, responsible use, enjoyment and awareness of an accessible countryside
Botanical Society Scotland aims to advance the appreciation and understanding of all plants and fungi.