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:

Sensory Sketching

Use your senses to listen, feel, smell, hear, and see nature in new ways and express your sensory experience on paper.

Winter Wreaths

Make your own willow wreaths ready for the festive season using foraged natural resources from our Coalfield greenspaces.

Mindfulness Walk

Join us for a gentle walk around the park where we will focus on taking in the senses and re-connecting with nature. We will be joined by The Little Company of Calm to practice mindfulness.

Willow Bird Feeders

Help your garden birds thrive over winter and learn how to weave a bird feeder out of willow.

Nature Collages

Forage for interesting shapes and colours and get creative with a natural collage. Experiment with leaves, twigs, pinecones and more to make a piece of art unique to you and your local green space.

Nest Box Building

Learn some beginner DIY skills and make a house for a little bird to make its home.

About the programme

Events are suitable for people ages 18 years and over.

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.

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.

Know before you go

There is free park on site for those arriving by car.

There are several bus stops nearby, the nearest is an eleven-minute walk from the meetup point. This stop has services 168 and 32.

Facilities are available in The Lakes Cafe on site.

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.

This programme has been made possible by Sunderland City Council Public Health Grant Fund.

Description supplied by the event organiser.