Landscape Discoveries

Landscape Discoveries

Landscape Discoveries was a four week-long social prescription series devised and run by Art Branches for BFER at Brandon Country Park.

Art Branches specialises in creating unique and stimulating wellbeing programmes for community and mental health recovery.

Taking referrals from health care settings, plus open to self-referrals, the Landscape Discoveries project was an opportunity for people to connect more deeply with the unique and distinctive landscape of the Brecks.  It was available free of charge to participants throughput in June with thanks to the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and players of the National Lottery.

The course involved progressive skills to build confidence in a supported small group. Starting with drawing skills, the course included use of the walled garden at Brandon Country Park for printing patterns in nature during week three. Week two included macro photography using magnifying lenses, and the group spotted sand lizards and a myriad of butterflies!

Participant Jenny said,

“This has enabled me to get out of my flat and meet people for the first time since moving to Suffolk,”

Another individual reflected,

“The course has really helped me through a difficult time and I look forward to attending more courses in the future.”

In the final week, the group looked at sequential spaces. Each participant was challenged to frame the landscape to make a record of their journey, using plywood boards with cut out frames and quick marker pens to make a lasting journal. All materials were given to participants, and it was lovely to see progressive work carried out in between the workshops.

Project Manager, Stephanie Hartick commented, “Landscape Discoveries  was a fantastic opportunity to devise a progressive programme unique to and using the sense of place of the Brecks. By reaching out to individuals in the Brandon area and, making new connections with health care settings, we were able to improve people’s knowledge of their local environment, alongside improving wellbeing.”

The project included the expertise from peer support worker Jess who was able to help individuals with concerns. Jess noted that participants were really stimulated and engaged with all activities whilst feeling safe in the friendly group setting.

“The project in Brandon was a really rewarding and fun project to be part of. The forest is beautiful, especially the copper beech trees and walled garden. It’s been great to improve people’s wellbeing through the use of nature and the distinctive flora and fauna. I think the group found it really enlightening to learn about the trees and spend some time exploring and recording the beautiful place.”

Find out more:

Art Branches looks forward to running further workshops around Brandon in the near future. Please see the Art Branches website for other Art Branches opportunities: artbranches.org

To get in touch with Art Branches founder, Stephanie please email: artbranches@icloud.com