South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 11/10/2012

Cllr Janet Biggin, Chairman of South Gloucestershire Council, joined the children to help with the sculpture which is being made out of recycled wood and will be displayed at Grimsbury Community Farm on Sunday as part of the Apple Day event which is open to the public from 11am to 3pm. www.fogf.co.uk

As well as finding out about various apple varieties and helping to make and sample fresh apple juice at the community farm event, an exciting new project calledWild4life is being launched. Wild4life will provide fantastic opportunities for residents to get out and about and enjoy their local green spaces including seasonal themed community celebrations such as Apple Day, practical hands-on conservation projects, wildlife walks and training for volunteering. Younger residents will be able to enjoy nature play days or learn bushcraft skills and orienteering.

The four-year project aims to bring people closer to nature to improve health and wellbeing and is primarily available to children, young people and families who live in Filton, Patchway, West Yate, Cadbury Heath, Staple Hill and Kingswood who use children’s services, access adolescent and mental health services, special schools or attend youth groups for the disabled.

Matt Pearce from NHS South Gloucestershire said: “We are delighted to be supporting these opportunities for local residents in South Gloucestershire through the Wild4life project. There are many positive health benefits associated with outdoor activities for children. Studies indicate that direct exposure to nature can relieve the symptoms of attention-deficit disorders, improve resistance to stress and depression, increase self-esteem, stimulate creativity, as well as lowering childhood obesity.”

Funding for Wild4life is from a grant from the Reaching Communities Fund of the Big Lottery Fund as well as funding from NHS South Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Council.

Find out more by joining us at the Apple Day celebrations at Grimsbury Community Farm, Grimsbury Road, Kingswood or contact the Wild4life team on 01454 863556.