A new project in Poundbury is looking for referrals as it looks to tackle issues around mental health and wellbeing.

The Nature for Wellbeing project has a variety of nature-based activities created to stimulate and boost mental health in local residents.

Activities will take place from November and run through until next August. They will be free and will take place on the Great Field in Poundbury.

Participants can be referred via several routes, including the Mid-Dorset group of GP practices, which includes all Poundbury and Dorchester surgeries. Those interested are told to ask for your GP practice Social Prescriber. You can also fill in a referral form on the Nature for Wellbeing website and send it directly to miles.king@peopleneednature.org.uk

The project is supported with funding from the College of Medicine and Integrated Health, as well as Dorset Council, Dorchester Town Council and the Aviva Save Our Wild Isles Crowdfunder. 

This month, there will be sessions on nature photography and mindfulness from Colin Tracy from Thursday November 16 and then again on November 23 and 30- with another session on Thursday December 7.  

Art in Poundbury will give a taster session from Wednesday, November 15 from 11am to 12.30pm.

A spokesperson said: “We will help you explore sketching and painting techniques to capture the beauty of the natural world around us.”

The first session will stay simple using only pencils and paper, and over the sessions on the next three weeks, painting techniques will be introduced.  

Miles King from People Need Nature will lead the class about looking after Poundbury’s Hay Meadows.

Those attending will find out more about the new wildflower meadows, how they are managed as well as how people can look after them. The taster session starts Monday, November 15 between 11.30am to 1pm.

There will also be a Yoga and Tai Chi in Nature class led by teachers from the Dorchester Yoga Centre, with the taster session starting Saturday, November 18 between 2pm to 3.30pm.

Already planned for January are talks on Folklore and Nature by storyteller and author Lisa Schneidau, which is due to start Saturday, January 6.

Later in spring next year, Deborah Alexander will give a talk about breathing exercises called Breath, Body and Mind where participants will learn practical, science-based tools to enhance, slow and deepen your breath and help regulate your nervous system.