A bird in the hand...

We wanted to share some video footage from our recent Hawk Walk so that you can see some of the fantastic experiences we had!  The first clip shows us flying and handling some Harris Hawks, the second shows the hawks flying alongside us as we walked through woodland.  In the final clip, we are given an insight in to owl behaviour by an experienced falconer...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhGJ6YIzzjI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcrvygUP9Js

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZWcPBggPRs

The Network Nature Express exhibition continues!

If the opening night was anything to go by, the exhibition is already proving a huge success! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zim2gF_5xk0

...and the exhibition continues at Leicester's Independent Arts Centre

Fabrika
68 Humberstone Gate
Leicester
LE1 3PL

Friday 15th July - Thursday 28th July 2011.

There will be an Open Evening on Friday, 15th July from 5.30pm - 7.30pm and entry is FREE!

You can still see the exhibition at Pedestrian, 34-38 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1RD until this Thursday, 14th July and entry is also FREE!  We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Ospreys

Rutland water is home to the first Ospreys to breed in Europe for 150 years.  We visited the Lyndon Visitor Centre there to see the birds for ourselves.  The centre features a live Osprey camera and, a short walk away, there are shallow water hides offering great views of the Osprey nest.  The staff there helped to make sure we got the best possible view of the Ospreys through telescopes that were set up within the hides.  We were lucky enough to see the Ospreys and were amazed at their size!



Ospreys...you may have to take our word for it!



Hawk Walk

We went on a memorable 'hawk walk', getting up close to falcons, hawks and owls.  We had the opportunity to handle the birds and experience them coming out of the sky and flying to the glove, all in spectacular countryside!

Firestarters and Candlestick makers

We were lucky enough to attend a two day residential visit to the ‘Shining Cliff’ hostel in Derbyshire.  The hostel was tucked away in a peaceful woodland setting and was a welcome break from city life.  We recorded two of the activities to share with the blog.  The first clip shows us being taught to light fires, safely, in woodland.  In the second clip we are making outdoor candle holders from natural materials including stinging nettles which were used to make our own string!  We hope you enjoy watching the clips as much as we enjoyed the trip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA2SeaireHg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzpS1Z1AqpU

Tree Hugging!

For those who missed the bird talk...

...or those who'd like to see it again!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggCdOnhspog

A big 'thank you' to Viv for this fascinating presentation.

Brocks Hill, by Mary

At a women's group that I attend once a month with Network Resource Centre, we had a trip to Brocks Hill Visitor Centre in Oadby.  This place was very eco-friendly, plenty to do for all members of a family.  There was a lovely sundial right in the centre.  What stood out for me most of all was the way animals were carved out of wood at different places.  As I love owls, I couldn't resist having my picture taken!  A most enjoyable afternoon.

A presentation about birds

At 2.00pm on Monday, 6th June 2011 there will be a short talk about birds and the way attitudes to bird protection and conservation have changed over the years.

The presentation, by a service-user, will include a DVD about the Ospreys at Rutland Water.

Venue: Network for Change
150-152 London Road
Leicester
LE1 2ND 

Dates for your diary!

We are pleased to announce the first Network Nature Express art exhibition, in the centre of Leicester's Cultural Quarter:

Pedestrian Arts
34-38 Rutland Street
Leicester
LE1 1RD

Friday 8th July - Thursday 14th July 2011

FREE entry!!

More dates will follow and we hope to see you there!

For maps and venue information:  http://www.pedestrian.info/

Rambling and bird watching!

Hair raising!!

Equine Assisted Therapy

Mental health and the environment

Being active and being outdoors can help lift mood, develop motivation, raise self-esteem, reduce stress, and improve mental health.  But for many people living with a mental health problem, access to these simple mood-boosters can be challenging.  To illustrate this point, we want to provide an in-sight in to how we find living with a mental health problem can act as a barrier to what, for many, are every-day activities.

If nature is so good for us, why don’t we get out more?!

As a group, our mental health problems have impacted significantly on our quality of life for many years.  We know that we are in the minority and that many people misunderstand mental illness.  Perhaps they think we should just ‘pull ourselves together’.  We wish we could!  When anxiety is high and mood is low, it is difficult to get out of bed let alone leave the house.  Stepping in to the outside world can exacerbate feelings of paranoia, anxiety and worthlessness.  We do not choose to feel this way and are always trying to find ways to manage the difficult emotions that we experience.  Sometimes we need medication and sometimes we need hospital treatment to control our symptoms, but what about living and enjoying life? 

We are all clients of a voluntary sector organisation Network for Change who provide support including a weekly timetable of groups and activities.  Because this service has been set up for individuals with a mental health problem, we know that we will not be judged and will be supported if we are struggling.  For many of us, this is our only social network and the only way we feel a sense of purpose to our days.  Network Nature Express aims to provide us with the same therapeutic benefit that the environment brings to others.  By visiting local green spaces on rambles and residential trips we get the chance to experience nature and use it as inspiration for art. 

Without groups like Network Nature Express we could easily become isolated and trapped in the difficult feelings associated with our mental health difficulties.  With this, there can be an increase in hospital admissions and exacerbation of symptoms.  So while these groups may not seem important to someone without experience of mental health difficulties, for us they are, at times, life savers.

 

Burrough Hill - fresh air and inspiration!