How Groundwork North East & Cumbria Helped my Mental Health

Hello, my name is Peter (he/him) I am one of the junior directors at Radio Nation Coventry. I am 44 years of age and live alone in the Eastern suburbs of Newcastle Upon Tyne, which is where I spend a lot of my free time, even in the heart of winter – I love it!

Like a shockingly high number of people, I struggle with my mental health – I suffer with anxiety and depression (controlled). It’s my personal belief and experience – and that of many people (including most, if not all, medical professionals) – that the most effective and sustainable treatments for our mental wellbeing are spending time and talking with loved ones (or anybody you’re comfortable around), spending time out in nature, a balanced diet and plenty of exercise. Whether it’s walking the dog, going for a stroll or picnic with friends and family in your local green space or a solitary excursion to unpack your thoughts and reflect, all whist listening to the birds chirping out their happy thoughts, watching the wildlife play and trees sway, all whilst getting a lungful of crisp, clean, oxygen rich air and being intoxicated on serotonin and dopamine (the feel good neurotransmitters) – nothing beats it! Don’t forget the benefits that nature provides to our physical wellbeing and longevity too – sitting watching the squirrels look for mischief, I can literally feel my blood pressure melting away! Of course, spending time in the great outdoors, often comes hand-in-hand with that, all important, exercise too – double whammy! Mental illness has spiralled upwards at an alarming rate, since society started spending more and more time living in concreate jungles. We are a part of nature, it’s important that we reconnect with it and live alongside it in harmony.  

Back in autumn of ’22, I was randomly selected to participate in ‘The People’s Assembly for Nature’ (PAN) – a citizens’ assembly comprising of 103 regular people from all walks of life, all age groups and from all corners of the UK. Given my love and concern for nature, I jumped at the chance! We were given an immense amount of invaluable information about the different aspects of the nature and biodiversity crisis from 40 different and very credible experts of their respective fields, then we spent a total of 36 hours deliberating – discussing solutions and what needs to be done to restore the crucial co-existing harmony between people and nature, before it’s too late. The resulting document – ‘The People’s Plan for Nature’ (The PPfN) – contains our 26 calls to action, to restore and protect nature in the UK. The PPfN is, essentially, a set of guidelines for government bodies, businesses, NGOs, communities and individuals. PAN was an incredibly democratic process, with a diverse range of communities and minorities represented and given a voice, and with absolutely no third-party influence (Involve, the very experienced, proficient and impartial organisation contracted to deliver the assemblies, were on the ball with that (not that they needed to be, nobody over tried to steer or influence any of our deliberations)). Everyone was listened to, and their input valued – The PPfN is a plan of action, by the people, for the people. PAN was commissioned by WWF-UK, National Trust and RSPB, in collaboration. This is where I learnt just how truly dire the state of nature in the UK (and the rest of the world) actually is. It’s also where I was given the knowledge, skills, resources, confidence and connections to advocate and fight for what I belief in, and help to make a positive change.

I can’t forget about the amazing support of the charity ‘Groundwork’ too! Groundwork were contracted (post-assembly) to provide even more support to The people’s Assembly for Nature – they hosted lots of different workshops designed to help us with the different aspects of advocacy and media work. They also offered one-to-one mentoring to all assembly members, providing bespoke support tailored to our individual needs and desires. I LOVE being in the great outdoors and, thanks to my wonderful Groundwork mentor, Hellen, I have been pointed in the right direction to do some hands-on conservation work (I have been doing some very satisfying and rewarding work with a delightful team of people at Tyne Rivers Trust – clearing of invasive species, litter picking, ect. Hellen has also continued to help me with my campaigning, long after Groundworks’ contract with us had been fulfilled! I also have to thank all the management at the Climate Coalition – they also host lots of different free workshops and training sessions, they offer a lot of varied and invaluable support and resources to anyone wishing to campaign on behalf of nature and the environment .