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Wellbeing at Whistlewood

Overview

"Our Vision is to build an inclusive Community for Health and wellbeing which supports our guests to make compassionate connections with themselves, Nature and other people. Our location in the heart of a 10 acre community owned woodland is part of the National Forest. We offer unique and inclusive experiences for individuals or groups to truly immerse themselves in nature whilst taking part in our therapies, workshops, courses and experiences. We work in partnership with Derbyshire Mind to provide monthly "Green Connections" wellbeing days for people who live with physical, mental health and social challenges and disabilities. We have been supported to develop our Green Connections service by Toyota UK, Disability Direct, The National Forest Company ,Whistlewood Common Ltd and the University of Derby. Our participants are referred to us by community groups, NHS Social Prescribers, Health and Social Care professionals and we work in partnership to meet their support and inclusion needs We invest in the wellbeing and development of our own highly trained and experienced Wellbeing Professionals as part of our wellbeing ethos. Many members of our team live with long term health conditions and disabilities so we are passionate about creating a warm , compassionate welcome and accessible woodland wellbeing opportunities. We are passionately proud of our team , our professional partnerships and our compassionate services. We received a National Excellence Award from the Federation of Holistic Therapists, The UK's largest professional body for the Holistic Wellbeing , Beauty and Sports Industries) for "Green Therapy Business of the Year" in 2020. ​We ensure that everything we do is kind to the environment working together to include earth care into our business planning at every step."

Contact details

The Common Melbourne Derbyshire East Midlands DE73 8DH United Kingdom

https://whistlewoodcommon.org/

info@wellbeingatwhistlewood.co.uk

07443 413370

Access guidance

• We provide seating in our indoor and outdoor areas. We have folding chairs which can be taken to any part of our 10 acre community woodland. Queues are never a problem in our beautiful woodland.
• We have an accessible path which leads from two accessible parking spaces in our car park to our main "Hub" area. The path extends to our Strawbale Roundhouse which has level decked access , level internal floors and wide doors. Th path leads to a wheelchair accessible composting toilet which complements our off-grid woodland facilities.
• The distance from our car park to the main Hub area is short but we are able to provide chairs for guest who would appreciate rest stops.
• We have further toilet facilities and can support guests who may need urgent access and other hidden support needs.
• We welcome guide dogs and can support these needs.
• Companions, supporters and carers are very welcome to attend to support our guests. Free entry can be supported if requested in advance so that we can risk assess and action plan for Covid security and social distancing. Some of our guests and team members are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable so we have trained in Infection Control, Covid Security and inclusive management of the needs of our most clinically vulnerable guests alongside the hidden support needs of other guests in relation to mask wearing.
• We are looking at provision of this service and would welcome your advice. Our wellbeing services centre around sensory experiences and include minimal written information. A member of our team would be happy to read and explain information to guests where this would be helpful.
• We are looking at future provision of this service and would welcome your advice. Our wellbeing services centre around sensory experiences and include minimal written information. A member of our team would be happy to read information to guests where this would be helpful.
• We are working towards being a warm, welcoming , inclusive and accessible service for people who may not usually be able to access woodlands and Natural spaces. We are a new wellbeing social enterprise and still have more to learn and achieve so would welcome any support , advice and signposting that you can offer to help us develop our services and facilities. We are Wellbeing at Whistlewood , a social enterprise supported by Whistlewood Common Ltd and the National Forest Company Whistlewood Common Ltd is a 10 acre Community owned woodland with 400 share holders who mostly live in and around Derbyshire and Derby. Whistlewood Common and the National Forest Company woodlands have been re-wilded from damaged land which had been left scarred by intensive farming methods and heavy industry such as open cast mining and the pottery industry. The National Forest was the first new forest to be planted in England for many centuries. These young woodlands and forests now support inclusive communities, employment, enterprise , learning, leisure participation and wellbeing. Both the National Forest and Whistlewood Common are exemplar projects which we are very proud to be part of. Wellbeing at Whistlewood is a partner in the National Forest/Joined up NHS Services Derbyshire "GreenSPRing" partnership project. This is one of the Government's 7 "Test and Learn" sites for Green Social Prescribing in England . During the next two years we will be working in partnership to develop processes and service that enable access to "Green" wellbeing opportunities for Derbyshire residents. Ensuring that these opportunities are accessible and supportive is a top priority for our social enterprise and we would welcome your support.