Creating a positive change through a therapeutic parks programme
What is Parks in Mind?
Parks in Mind provides fun nature conservation and other outdoor activities in Bournemouth’s beautiful parks and open spaces to deliver health and wellbeing benefits to the people taking part.
Jointly developed by Public Health Dorset, Bournemouth Borough Council and Bournemouth Parks Foundation, the project creates free volunteering opportunities suitable for anyone looking to improve their health, meet new people and learn new skills. The emphasis is on providing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere while taking part in practical and sociable outdoor activities to improve the environment.
With a focus on nature conservation, green exercise and other activities, you’ll enhance your own wellbeing while making improvements to local parks for people and wildlife. It also includes elements of nature study, art in the environment, relaxation and confidence building workshops. You choose the activities you want to take part in and work to your own limits. No prior knowledge is required, with the chance to learn from both the project leaders and the other people taking part.
Sessions will take place in the following parks:
- Churchill Gardens, Boscombe
- Horseshoe Common, Bournemouth
- Knyveton Gardens, Springbourne
- Shelley Park, Boscombe
- Woodland Walk, Southbourne
- Boscombe Overcliff Nature Reserve.
Programme of events
We’re pleased to be back running our programme, making sure we follow strict government guidelines to ensure your safety. View the summer to autumn programme to see what we’ll be up to in which parks. Booking is essential for all activities.
We will also be offering some virtual activities such as:
- Tuesdays, 3:00pm – Tuesday Tea at Three
- Thursdays, 11:00am – Tai Chi
Please check the Facebook group as times for the virtual activities may vary.
More information
If you’d like to find out more, have a look at the volunteer role description or get in touch with our Project Leader, Peter Holloway:
- Tel: 07384 790048
- Email: [email protected]
- Join our Facebook group
We’re also looking for people who may like to lead sessions, so whether you’d like to run a health walk, tai chi session or crafts activity we’d love to hear from you.
Thanks to our major supporters Public Health Dorset, People’s Postcode Lottery and National Lottery Awards for All. We’ve also received grants from White Stuff Community Foundation, Greggs Foundation, the Valentine Trust and the Stoate Charity. If you’re interested in supporting this valuable project please get in touch.
Healthy parks, healthy you
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Celebrating our volunteers: Rachel Wells, Parks in Mind
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Celebrating our volunteers: Steve Emery, Parks in Mind
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Celebrating our volunteers: Jo Worley, Parks in Mind
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Celebrating our volunteers: Douglas Pinchen, Parks in Mind
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Join us for International Dawn Chorus Day
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Coronavirus statement – updated 25th March
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Works completed at Knyveton Gardens – now let’s celebrate!
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Come along to our birds and breakfast event
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A day with Parks in Mind
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Parks in Mind groups created to improve community’s health and wellbeing
When is it?
We’re pleased to be running our Parks in Mind activities, making sure we follow strict government guidelines to ensure your safety.
View the summer to autumn programme to see what we’ll be up to in which parks. Booking is essential for all activities.
We will also be offering some virtual activities such as:
- Tuesdays, 3:00pm – Tuesday Tea at Three
- Thursdays, 11:00am – Tai Chi
Please check the Facebook group as times for the virtual activities may vary.
Our partners
