The Nature of Wellbeing | Manchester Metropolitan University

During Lockdown 2 in 2020 I drove past student halls of residence in Manchester and was upset to see notes of boredom and despair in windows, written by students in isolation. As a consequence, I pitched a project idea to Manchester Metropolitan University’s RISE programme and was commissioned to design and lead a course for students, which focused on connection. The project was delivered virtually in Lockdown 3, 2021.

Nature for Wellbeing was an 8 week programme in which discussion, collaboration and creativity helped us to explore the nature of wellbeing and connection, during a time of indoors isolation. I prepared and posted a pack of tactile natural materials and art making resources to each student, inspired by aspects of my own creative practice. Each week we would take part in mindful creative activities and meditations using the kits.

Our virtual meet-ups became a safe space to explore own personal relationships with nature and our place in the world around us. During the programme the group conceived an organisation, which would support other students to establish connections with outdoor spaces and nature conservation focused work in Manchester, to assist student wellbeing as we emerged from the Covid19 pandemic.

The structure of the course was designed to mimic the life cycle of a flowering plant—metaphorically I sowed the seeds of ideas, which the students nurtured and grew, and once they flowered their own ideas were scattered as seeds at the end of the programme. It was a deeply inspiring project to be a part of.