***Update Sunday 7th August 2022***

We did it!! This morning Brian and I jumped out of a plane at 13,500 feet to do a skydive to fundraise for Wild Roots!! It was over so quick but what an incredible experience - 45 seconds free fall followed by 5 minutes under canopy. I'm still buzzing and can't believe we've actually done it! Thank you to everyone who has supported us and donated, and if you haven't yet donated, please consider doing so, any amount will go a long way to support what we do and will mean a lot to the group. Thank you, Mel

And another update! On Sunday 14th August 2022, Wild Roots volunteer Trevor did a jump too, helping us to raise even more funds for the group! Well done Trevor (see photo in gallery). 

See below for the original post:

***

Hello! Thanks for stopping by! For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Mel and I work for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust on the Wellbeing Programme – we provide nature-based activities for people struggling with their mental health.

Just under a year ago, as a follow-on for one of my groups, I secured an allotment plot to keep the group together so that we could continue to enjoy the outdoors and support each other. We called ourselves Wild Roots.

We’ve made so much progress in our first few months thanks to all the lovely donations we received and have turned what was an overgrown, unkempt plot (see photos in gallery) into a little haven of peace and calm where we can get-together and enjoy each-others company whilst doing some planting and growing.

We have many plans for the site, and we are excited about the opportunities it will give us to learn about plants and their uses, but our work can only continue with your kind donations.

As our challenge this year, Wild Roots volunteer Brian and I will be skydiving to raise funds for the group. In his own words, Brian explains why he’s doing this:

“I'm doing this challenge for several reasons; I need to prove a lot to myself in order to move onwards and, in this case quite literally, upwards in my life. I am a weathered and beaten student of the 'nadir', but that's just been my life’s story so far and I'm learning. Through the on-going support, social-inclusion, safe and understanding environment and purpose given by Wild Roots, but most of all Mel, (whom I'm doing this with, so she doesn't need to do it alone!) I have managed to put down some roots and grown as a person. I feel I’m ready for the next stage in my life and ready to make the most of it. I’m taking this ‘leap of faith’ to prove to myself that I can do this, and do it for our group.”

The skydives have been paid for so all donations received will go directly to the Wild Roots project via Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Wild Roots is separate to the Wellbeing Programme and does not receive any funding for it. I’m running it on a voluntary basis (as a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust volunteer).

Thank you for any donation you can make – large or small – and if you are able to help in other ways too, please let me know. Many thanks! Mel

About the Wellbeing Programme

The Wellbeing Programme provides nature-based activities for people living with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, low mood and stress. Participants get involved in conservation work, wildlife walks and nature-based crafts. Research shows that this type of outdoor activity can be beneficial to both mental and physical wellbeing. The programme has been running since 2008.

About Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

Our vision is a sustainable future for wildlife and people. where the county's rich tapestry of landscapes is full of wildlife valued by everyone and where people enjoy a high quality of life with minimal environmental impact. As threats to the natural world continue to impact on the county's wildlife we believe a bold approach is needed to tackle the causes of nature's decline before its too late. Crucially, we base our work on sound knowledge and evidence and encourage people to explore, experience and enjoy the natural world around them.