Referral Days - Join us. Professional Taster Day.
WELLIES Nature Project — A Wonderful Start to Our Lottery-Funded Journey
We are now three weeks into our WELLIES Nature Project, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund — and the energy, creativity and teamwork from our learners has been inspiring.
Each Friday, adults recovering from poor mental health join us at Chapel on the Hill, Somersal Herbert, to reconnect with nature, build confidence, learn new skills and enjoy time outdoors together. Many participants come through referrals from mental health teams, social prescribers and community organisations, and for some, this is their first step back into learning, volunteering or work.
Thanks to Lottery support, this 20-week project gives people a safe, welcoming place to grow — in every sense.
Week One — Settling In & Starting to Explore Nature
Our first week focused on getting to know each other, settling in and beginning to look at the outdoor spaces we will be improving over the next few months. Learners explored the grounds, shared their experiences around nature and wellbeing, and contributed to our Environmental Action Plan.
We also looked at early seasonal clues outdoors — changes in leaves, weather, wildlife and colour — and began talking about what the winter and spring months might bring.
Week Two — Autumn, Seasons & Pond Life
In Week Two, our focus turned to Autumn and the changes happening around us. Learners explored seasonal plants and leaves, created nature-based crafts and investigated ways to support pond biodiversity in the WELLIES garden.
We discussed how healthier pond habitats can help insects, amphibians and birds — and how even small actions can make a big difference.
There were also lovely hands-on activities: leaf printing, nature collecting, journaling and observations to support our environmental learning.
Week Three — Planting, Preparing & Getting Stuck In
By Week Three, we were outside with gloves, compost and lots of enthusiasm! Our group planted hundreds of bulbs, prepared raised beds, tidied pathways and began the first steps of our habitat-creation work.
Activities included:
- Bulb planting in pots and beds
- Clearing spaces for spring planting
- Reviewing ideas from our Environmental Impact Report
- Working together on early habitat features
- Tea, laughter and teamwork (essential parts of every WELLIES Friday!)
The sense of achievement has been palpable — and the garden is already starting to change.
Why This Project Matters
Many of our learners face challenges such as anxiety, depression and isolation. Spending time in green spaces, working with plants, creating things with their hands and connecting with others helps build:
- confidence
- structure and routine
- physical activity
- social connection
- a sense of calm
- purpose and pride
The difference we’ve seen already is something to celebrate.
A Huge Thank You
A warm thank you to The National Lottery Community Fund for making this project possible — and to every participant, staff member and volunteer who has helped make the first three weeks such a success.
This is only the beginning.
We can’t wait to share more as the project grows.
New – ‘Friends of the WELLIES Project’ facebook page
Have you liked our new WELLIES venture? https://www.facebook.com/welliesproject
‘Friends of the WELLIES Project’ has been set up as a social enterprise arm to The WELLIES Project to create opportunities for learners to make and sell some of the fantastic things the project produces. This raises funds to plough back into the project and gives a confidence boost to all involved.
Our participants are learning woodwork, floristry, gardening, design and other practical skills. They are raising standards all the time as goods have to be of a saleable value. They are also developing skills for enterprise and employability with this project. We have already been able to employ a previous WELLIES participant on a 1 day a week basis to oversee the marketing, sales and organisation of the products. We are very excited about the opportunities this gives our learners and volunteers alike.
We also hope to be able to offer you some unique, handmade, lovingly crafted local products as you continue to support the great work that the WELLIES Project does.
Campaigns already completed
The 100 dibber challenge – we set our woodwork students the challenge of creating 100 dibbers (small garden tool for making holes in the soil for bulbs or seed planting). We then offered them for sale at £5, £7.50 or £10 on our ‘Friends of the WELLIES Project’ facebook page. The sales were great and as the 100 dibber challenge was easily beaten we still have some available if you would like to buy one now.
Herb sale – working in conjunction with Kingfisher Herbs we organised a herb sale from our home at The Old Village Stores in Sudbury, Derbyshire. The first batch of 9 different mints proved so popular they sold out almost overnight. So we then offered a variety of different herbs such as Oregano, Chives, Thyme, Sage Purple, Marjoram Golden, Thyme Doone Valley, Rosemary Primley Blue, Sage Tricolour and Sage Golden. Again these sold out and all profits were put back into the WELLIES Project.
Floral Easter envelopes and hatboxes – Julie and some of her Floristry students took orders for the most amazing Easter flowers. As Julie is a national, award winning florist her direction and instruction meant that every creation was stunning and the students learnt so much. They were all very proud and happy with their arrangements, as we’re sure all their customers were as well.
What’s coming next?
Our next events will be wooden pens for Father’s Day and bouquets for British Cut Flower Week, 14 – 20 June. Please do like and share the facebook page to keep upto date with all that is happening at the WELLIES Project https://www.facebook.com/welliesproject
If you would like to order a something from our campaigns then send us a message on the facebook page and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Once again thank you to everyone who has already ordered. We really appreciate your support.
All profits go to the WELLIES Project to support people recovering from mental ill health.
Free WELLIES/Enable Traineeships available
- Are you, or someone you know, unemployed and aged 16-24?
- Are you looking to learn a new skill?
- Are you resident in Staffordshire, Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire?
Our new traineeships could be for you!!
We are looking to offer a 70-hour work placement over 6 weeks in Sudbury, Derbyshire, DE6 5HS
We will be operating this traineeship under the WELLIES Project umbrella, utilising WELLIES tutors, contacts and facilities. There will be therapeutic activities with plants, animals, creativity and the countryside.
Tasks would include things like the creation of a courtyard garden, cooking, harvesting, woodwork, some roles with the Sudbury Gasworks Restoration Trust and maybe gardening at Sudbury Hall.
Maths and English upskilling will be undertaken by our recruitment partner, Enable https://enable.uk.net/
If you would like more information, to register or signpost someone in our direction then please contact Steph@growingruralenterprise.co.uk as soon as possible.
We need candidates to be registered with Enable by the end of March, with the placement running between April – July 2021. This is free of charge to all trainees.
Virtual WELLIES is LIVE
Tutors and WELLIES staff have been working hard behind the scenes for learning to carry on in a positive way. We have set up separate Facebook groups for each course. This will enable us to carry on with WELLIES in a new and innovative way. Each day in the separate groups, the tutors will set tasks for you. Please request to join the appropriate group depending on the day you attend, for example, if you attend the Tuesday and Thursday course you can join the two separate groups.
If you attend the course on TUESDAY, please click the link below and request to join the group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/498433974183222/
If you attend the course on WEDNESDAY at the Chapel, please click the link below and request to join the group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/194711021966398/
If you attend the Sewing course on WEDNESDAY, please click the link below and request to join the grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/659329674854003/
If you attend the Woodwork course on THURSDAY, please click the link below and request to join the group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/601406560719941/
We as Tutors and Staff really hope you participate in the activities and look forward to seeing what you have made/created and accomplished each day in the Facebook groups.The WELLIES Project page will carry on as normal. It’s going to be a team effort but if we work together nothing will stop us from learning, communicating and ultimately enjoying ourselves. This is a fantastic diversion from all the negative things that are going on at this moment in time. Do not forget to ‘WAKE UP FOR WELLIES’ as each week will be a new set of tasks that will be posted first thing in the morning.Any questions or queries please contact any member of staff.Thank you from the WELLIES team.Welcome to WELLIES online!
