Welcome to the
WELLIES Project
Therapeutic learning activities with animals, plants, creativity and the countryside for people recovering from mental ill health.
Wellness
Education
Learning
Laughter
Inspiration
Environment
Skills
See what we do at WELLIES…
WELLIES is run by Julie White and Nick Platt, founders of the WELLIES Project and Staffordshire Care Farming Development CIC, a not for profit company.
WELLIES has been running for twelve years and as rural business advisors Julie and Nick often help other people to develop care farming enterprises.
See more on our FB page: welliesproject or follow us on Instagram: welliesproject
“I refer people to Wellies who are often at the lowest point in terms of their mental health and self-esteem, often to the point where they don’t feel they can step through the door by themselves. I have seen people’s confidence grow and their ability to form meaningful friendships has increased as a result of attending Wellies. Many of the people I refer to Wellies are very socially isolated, and because of the rural nature of the area, opportunities to meet people who are experiencing similar are few and far between. Wellies provides a safe space for people to access peer support and try out new skills and gives people a much-needed sense of community and belonging.
Of the people I have referred, one went onto employment after spending time at Wellies and credited the group with having helped him to see he wasn’t alone in how he’d been feeling. It also gave him the opportunity and confidence to form a friendship outside of the group with another participant and their partner, reducing his isolation. Prior to that, he had spent most days by himself in his flat as he was new to the area, having very little social interaction which worsened his mental health.
Another woman said she felt visiting Wellies gave her a sense of purpose and she would come back from the group with crafts and creations to show her daughter, as well as being able to share experiences she’d had that day. This helped her feel she had done something productive and valuable, which was so important to her recovery as she had previously been in a very psychologically abusive relationship which had chipped away at her self-confidence. I always recommend Wellies to my working age patients who are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing because I know once they get through the front door, things will start to improve for them.“
Our latest news…
Help us Build a Therapeutic Garden
We have just launched a CrowdFunder campaign to improve the outdoor space at WELLIES and need your help! The Project plan is to approach a landscape/garden designer and task them with creating a tranquil yet useable area that will be suitable for practical activities...
Calke Abbey Visit
In March, WELLIES groups visited Calke Abbey for lambing and to visit the walled garden.
Helping Sudbury Hall to decorate for Christmas December 2018
One of the highlights of our annual calendar is being involved with the mammoth task of decoration Sudbury Hall for Christmas. We are so proud of our amazing volunteers & here are some images of what we achieved together...