The Norfolk Green Care Network brings together projects, organisations and people who are passionate about connecting with nature and are actively involved or interested in fostering Green Care.
Green Care is an umbrella term for nature-based interventions including care farming, conservation, walk and talk groups, horticulture etc. In recent years, it has become evident that people need more support than before, but also how important it is to connect with nature and appreciating it, even if it isn’t in person.
One member, Norfolk Master Composter has launched telephone and online support including a series of home composting workshops for beginners. This project aims to raise Norfolk residents’ awareness of the benefits of home composting. In person, Master Composter volunteers can attend events, give talks and offer face to face advice to groups and individuals.
Nigel, the cofounder of Norfolk Green Care Network says “We are all conscious of how all things green have become so much more important for so many people over the last few months, and the profile of the natural world and our part in it have become more prominent. As we face another period where many people may find themselves in restricted circumstances, and with the prospect of considerable unemployment and rising mental health issues, I firmly believe that Green Care projects and services have a massive role to play and am committed to helping them through the formation of the network.”
Carlyn the cofounder of this initiative says, “Having worked in the Green Care space for over eight years, and more recently running The Nurture Project, I felt there was very little connected information between other Green Care practitioners operating in the county. So, both Nigel and I felt there was an opportunity to create a network and to build a more cohesive Green Care community in Norfolk, but we needed to find out whether there was a genuine enthusiasm and demand around the idea. Nearly a year later from conception The Norfolk Green Care Network is up and running. I am excited to see how it develops.”
Nigel and Caryln recently spoke to Amelia Worley, Groups and Membership Officer of Voluntary Norfolk. You can listen to their conversation here.
Amelia has also shared her thoughts about the network. She said “Voluntary Norfolk recognises how important it is for small charities and community groups to meet, share ideas, build trust and collaborations. By working together we create a stronger, more effective voluntary sector, which will be vital for people and communities in Norfolk over the coming years. We welcome the development of the Green Care Network and look forward to supporting it over the coming year.”
Members of our network have been very creative, with some witnessing an increase in number of volunteers and hosting virtual methods to broadcast the sounds of nature.
We also work with projects based in Waveney and other parts of Suffolk, Fenland and Lincolnshire. If you are interested in learning more about Green Care or joining the network, you can find out more about our network on our website.
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Carlyn Kilpatrick and Nigel Boldero are the Co-Founders of Norfolk Green Care Network.
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