January marks a month of ‘Wellbeing’ in Greensand Country

The Greensand Country Landscape Partnership (GCLP) supports initiatives to protect, preserve and promote our local landscape and its unique heritage, wildlife and culture. This January marks our first ever wellbeing month, with events and activities promoted across Greensand Country to encourage local communities to get out and enjoy the landscape for their physical and mental wellbeing.  

Together with other organisations, including The Greensand Trust, Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, the RSPB, Wildlife Trust and The Shuttleworth Trust, we aim to make it even easier for all members of our local communities to experience and enjoy Greensand Country.   

“January in the UK is inherently a challenging time for many people” says Daniel Bowles, Partnership Co-ordinator for the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership, “this is owing to a number of reasons, including the post-Christmas and New Year party blues, sub-zero temperatures, and the short number of daylight hours during the month, to name just a few. Thanks to a holiday company’s PR campaign in 2005, it now also features Blue Monday, reportedly the ‘saddest day of the Year’! 

“Encouraging positive mental and physical wellbeing has never been more important and the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership is putting it at the top of its agenda throughout January.” 

As well as boosting wellbeing through engagement with local green spaces, the GCLP has been working on a number of projects to help people, particularly those who have never previously explored the local landscape, to better understand and more easily access Greensand Country. 

A drone film and supporting leaflet with information on how to explore the habitats and heritage of Greensand Country have already been produced and will support the wellbeing focus in January, by providing resources for people to explore their local environment.  

Partners across the area, from Leighton Buzzard to Gamlingay, are hosting a number of different events to get people out and enjoying Greensand Country. These events will include wellbeing walks, birdwatching for beginners, and activities such Tai Chi and forest bathing.  

The GCLP will also be launching its new photography competition, entitled ‘My favourite space’ to coincide with promoting January as a wellbeing month. This will be a smartphone photography competition, to make it more accessible and encourage children and young adults to explore.