For the residents of the Coalfield area of Sunderland - spend time outdoors, meet new people and improve your wellbeing.

Wellbeing Weekends is a six-week beginner-friendly programme for the residents of the Coalfields. Finish off your week of hard work with relaxation in nature.

To gain the most from our programme, we recommend you come to all six sessions, but if you cannot make it to all the sessions, just message Lyze to let them know.

Sessions, which should be booked separately, include:

Texture Printing – We will explore Elemore park using our senses to help relax our minds and body. We will spend time focused on the physical space that we inhabit and make prints of the interesting textures that we come across.

Wild Yoga for all with Roy Moor – We will be joined by Wild Yoga instructor Roy Moor for a session of relaxation for our minds and bodies. Wild Yoga is suitable for all abilities and will take place amongst the swaying trees and bird song at Elemore park.

Seasons changing Wildlife Walk – Join us for a gentle walk around Elemore park to observe how nature reacts to the changing of seasons. Learn how to identify native trees, birds and mushrooms thriving in the Autumnal weather.

Spooky Sunderland – Tell spooky stories about the myths and legends of Sunderland and make ghosts, witches, and creepy crawlies from natural and recycled materials.

Art within Nature – Inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, make temporary art using sticks, rocks and leaves in collaboration with nature.

Bug hotel crafts – Help out bugs in your garden or local green space by making a bug hotel for them to make their home over the colder months. We will use recycled and foraged materials to create hanging hotels and discover what might come to stay.

Please ensure that, if they are attending the programme with you, places are booked for any carers or support workers as this will help us to organise our equipment and keep our register accurate.

We welcome any adult to attend, whether you refer yourself, have been referred by a social prescriber or a community provider. Should you require any support to attend, for example, a virtual tour of the facilities, please contact Lyze before booking.

Toilets are available at ELCAP.

Please come dressed for outdoor activities appropriate to the weather of the day including sturdy shoes, layers and waterproofs. We do have limited sizes of waterproofs and wellies available to lend out if needed – please let us know prior to the sessions if you would like to borrow these.

All activity equipment will be provided for each session. We kindly ask that you bring a filled water bottle, a snack and a bag to carry it all in.

Description supplied by the event organiser.