CLOVER project launches in Herefordshire

New project will deliver social prescribing in the Ross-on-Wye area

Ross-on-Wye Community Development Trust has launched its CLOVER project, which will deliver a programme of social prescribing activities throughout 2021 until spring 2022, using the £50,000 grant it was awarded from the National Academy for Social Prescribing earlier this year.

The CLOVER (Creative, Leisure, Outdoor & Volunteering Opportunities) partnership project* aims to increase access to social prescribing activities in the HR9 postcode area, especially for those over 65, the rurally isolated and carers, in order to improve mental and physical wellbeing.  It also aims to help local communities cope with the impact of Covid-19, as part of a national initiative to embed social prescribing in communities and healthcare.

Social prescribing schemes can involve a variety of activities, which are typically provided by voluntary and community sector organisations, such as volunteering, arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of sports.

As part of CLOVER’s official launch, four fantastic activities have been developed:

• Wellbeing in Nature: These Herefordshire Wildlife Trust sessions start on Tuesday 25 May and over 10 weeks, participants will explore ways in which nature can improve health.  There’ll be suggested wildlife to look out for during walks or through your window, plus an introduction to mindfulness.
  
  
• Nordic Walking: Organised by Ignite CIC, this 11 week course starts on Monday 7 June and participants will be able to learn the 10-step technique with qualified instructor, Amanda Lewis.  This can then be used in a series of nature walks in and around Ross-on-Wye.
  
  
• Mindfulness Weaving: This six week workshop is organised by Ignite CIC with local craftsman, Clyde Hoare from Wild Wicker.  Starting on Friday 11 June, participants will learn the art of weaving and develop a variety of weaving techniques to improve mindfulness and mental health.
  
  
• Adult Literacy: Ross Adult Literacy Group is offering free tuition to anyone struggling with reading, spelling, language or maths.  These one to one lessons are available to all adults, including those where English is an additional language.
  
  

Jane Roberts, Chair of the Ross-on-Wye Community Development Trust, said: “The whole team is very excited about the launch of the CLOVER project, because it is just the start of a much wider initiative that we hope will be adopted in other locations across Herefordshire and Worcestershire and beyond.  Social prescribing is so important and we hope it will give people the opportunity to develop skills, which will ultimately improve their physical health and mental wellbeing.”

Information Day

There will be a free information day this Thursday (20 May) between 10am and 3pm at Ross-on-Wye Market House.  The informal drop in event will offer demonstrations for some of the available courses, including Willow Weaving and Nordic Walking.

To book a place on any of the four activities, please visit www.clover-hr9.org.uk.


*  CLOVER is a partnership project between Ross-on-Wye Community Development Trust, Taurus Healthcare, Herefordshire Council, Active Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, Ignite CIC and Rural Media.