Growing Connections — Community Wellbeing Service

Growing Connections

Please come and join us for our FREE sessions from Sunnyside’s Community Wellbeing Service

Who we are

We are a small, dedicated team funded by The Lottery to run wellbeing sessions at Sunnyside Rural Trust. We offer our sessions to people that may have fallen within the cracks of getting the support they need and may be experiencing social isolation, anxiety or mild depression.

Our aim

The aim of our sessions is to offer opportunities to improve the wellbeing for people living in the local community. This includes people with mild learning disabilities, autism and mild depression who may be finding life a struggle and want an opportunity to build their confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment.

We have a range of activities to suit everyone. We bring people together to gain the therapeutic benefit of feeling connected with nature and each other.

Here is a short video, describing our Community Wellbeing Service:

What’s on offer

Cooking

Come and have fun making lots of different types of food, from cooking basic meals to experimenting with flavours and ingredients, awakening your senses though a variety of tastes and smells. You will be able to develop skills, confidence and knowledge in the kitchen by creating sweet and savoury dishes that we’ll enjoy together, or you get to take home.

Gardening

We offer a variety of gardening tasks, depending on the season. We work in small groups where everyone gets to move at their own pace. No knowledge or experience is necessary, just a willingness to join in. Sessions can help to improve your physical, mental & emotional wellbeing – the therapeutic benefits of gardening are amazing!

Arts and Crafts

Enjoy learning new skills or developing existing ones in a relaxed & friendly small group environment. Craft sessions include crocheting, embroidery, badge making, paper crafts e.g. quilling etc. Art sessions include free art expression using various paints, pastels, pencils & a wall art mural project. The purpose of the sessions is to relax and switch off from the daily pressures of life.

Working with animals

Join us in the peaceful surroundings of our Northchurch site. Learn how to care for our ducks, chickens, goats, pigs and sheep, while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of being in nature.

Our rescue animals are living out their days in this beautiful environment. We look after them and they look after us.

Walking in Nature

So often we walk through life with our head down, not looking at or experiencing the world around us. These walks inspire mindfulness by taking us outside, whatever the season or weather, to be in touch with the natural world and find the beauty on our doorstep. Walking is great for getting you outside and moving, to enhance both physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as learning about nature and being able to connect with others.

Wellbeing through the senses

This takes place in our beautiful Arctic Cabin, which itself promotes an atmosphere of relaxation and peace. Explore ways of enhancing your mental & emotional wellbeing by recognising your own signs of stress and how to manage them in a compassionate way. Sessions include meditation, music, sound baths and self-reflection in a safe & supportive environment.

How to Join Us

If you’d like to be part of what we do, or for more information please contact us. All activities are free but you need to travel to us independently..

If you’d like to be part of what we do, or for more information please contact us at wellbeing@sunnysideruraltrust.org.uk or call 01442 255977 ext. 2001.

Download our Referral Form: SRT Community Wellbeing Referral Form.docx