Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

23 August 2011

Escape the stresses of daily life this September and re-live that relaxed holiday feeling as we head into autumn.

September at Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) centres across the UK is Wellbeing Month, so we are inviting visitors to ‘Wind Down by the Water’ to enjoy a host of relaxing, calming and life-enhancing activities designed to make you feel good!

It is increasingly accepted that spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature, is good for people’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

This knowledge has inspired WWT’s ‘Wind Down by the Water’ initiative during Wellbeing Month.

Visitors to WWT’s nine wetland wildlife centres throughout the UK can squeeze out the last drops of the lazy days of summer, get out in the fresh air and take part in new activities.

Recent studies into the health benefits of nature and the outdoors have concluded that…

• Spending time in the outdoors and in contact with the natural environment can have a positive effect on mental health
• Many people engage in feeding wildlife, such as birds, because they derive considerable personal satisfaction and comfort from the interaction
• Contact with green spaces positively impacts blood pressure, cholesterol, outlook on life and stress-reduction
• Our quality of life, health and economic prosperity are crucially dependent on our natural world.

WWT centres are the perfect place to relax and unwind. Not only that, but they offer the perfect opportunity to discover something new.

Why not follow the marked trails around the WWT Arundel (West Sussex) reserve and learn about walking for physical, emotional and mental health; take a guided foraging walk and discover what edible fruits, roots, leaves, seeds, berries, fungi and even seaweed can be found at WWT London (Barnes), or relax and spend an evening looking at the stars at WWT Martin Mere’s (Lancashire) Astronomy Evening.

Every centre will also have a Wellbeing Sensory Trail, where you can treat all your senses. Taste – give your taste buds a new culinary experience at each of the centres' cafes; Touch – you don’t have to be a tree hugger to feel the various interesting tree textures; See – look at the variety of colourful flora and fauna and rare species at each of the centres; Listen – hear the tranquil sounds of the bird call songs through the nature trails; Smell – the smell of autumnal flowers and first fallen russet leaves is a sense that your nose can appreciate.

Each WWT centre has exciting events and activities all year round, so there is always something to learn or do.

WWT members can also feel good knowing that their membership helps to support WWT’s conservation work both in the UK and around the world.

Every WWT centre has excellent restaurants and gift shops and all have family friendly and disabled facilities. So head down to your nearest WWT wetland centre this September and discover an oasis of calm.

Events happening at WWT centres during the Wellbeing Month include:

WWT Arundel T 01903 881530 West Sussex

Wellbeing Wednesday: I Feel Good - 7 September: Talk: Colour analysis, body shape, clothes styling for individuals by image consultant Anne Lawder. 12:30 and 2pm in the Sand Piper theatre. Massage Taster sessions £5 for 5 minutes.

Wellbeing Wednesday: Smile - 14 September: Chat with Lynette from NHS Sussex Oral Health. The display includes stop smoking and dental health information. 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm.

Wellbeing Wednesday: The Walk of Life - 21 September: Find information at our display on walking for physical, emotional and mental health from Walk 4 Life, the British Heart Foundation and Mental Health Foundation. Follow the marked trails around the reserve for relaxation and distance.

WWT Caerlaverock T 01387 770200 Dumfriesshire, Scotland

Throughout September - ‘Get away from it all’. Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and head to the spectacular 1,400 acre wild reserve situated on the north Solway coast. 20 small hides give private views of wildlife at close quarters, an ideal retreat to wind down and relax.

WWT Castle Espie T 028 9187 4146 County Down, Northern Ireland

Health & Wellbeing - 10 & 11 September: From healthy food to Tai Chi come along and find out how you can live a healthier life. More information on this event from the centre 028 9187 4146.

Birdwatch morning - 29 September, 10.30am: Join our resident birding expert Dot Blakely, on the last Thursday of every month, and learn more about the variety of birds at Castle Espie through the seasons.

WWT London T 020 8409 4400 Barnes

Wellbeing Weekend -10 & 11 September: Guided walks - Our guided tours of the centre are at 11am and 2pm. Or you could join our walk with a warden at 12 noon to meet some of the wildfowl that WWT has helped to conserve

Foraging walks - Sourcing naturally grown, wild food is a good strategy for healthy eating and foraging for it can be very rewarding. The British countryside can yield an impressive variety of edible fruits, roots, leaves, seeds, berries and fungi.

Big bat walks - 1,8 and 15 Sept: Our bat walks give you the chance not only to see these amazing flying mammals and their astonishing aerial acrobatics but you can learn more about them with a talk by one of our bat experts in our theatre before heading out to the reserve.

Wildlife walk for members - 3 September, 1pm: Our monthly wildlife walks for members are a great chance to hear from one of our experts and to spot seasonal wildlife.

WWT Martin Mere T 01704 895181 Lancashire

Wellbeing Month - 1 – 30 September: Come along to Martin Mere for a day specifically designed to promote wellbeing. Foreverliving Aloe Vera Products including Aloe Vera drinking gels, skincare products and personal care products. The Stroke Association are offering free blood pressure checks and general information about stroke and stroke prevention.

Astronomy evening - 17 September: Spend an evening looking at the stars with Liverpool Astronomical Society Canoe Safari, 10.30am - 3.30pm (last boat). £5 per boat, three people per boat.

Free beaver talk - daily: 11am and 2pm: Join a volunteer in the beaver lodge to learn about the beavers and touch a beaver fur and skull (weather permitting).

Free otter talk and feed - 11.30am and 2.30pm: See our family of Asian short-clawed otters as they enjoy their feed, each talk lasts 20 minutes.

Free guided walk - 1pm: Walk around the waterfowl gardens with a volunteer to learn all about the different bird species in the grounds (weather permitting).

Free community reedbed walk: Walk around the top of our reserve on the brand new community reedbed walk.

WWT National Wetland Centre, Wales T 01554 741087 Carmarthenshire

Nordic Walking - 3 September: Nordic walking with fully trained Nordic walking instructors. For anyone who wants to find out more and try out this fantastic way of regaining and keeping your fitness Explore the site by bicycle or take a jungle explorer-style tour by canoe.

Canoe safari: open daily from Saturday 16 July to Sunday 4 September 2011, 12.00 noon - 4.00pm.

Bike Trail: open daily from Saturday 16 July to Sunday 4 September 2011, 12.00 noon - 4.00pm.

WWT Slimbridge T 01453 891900 Gloucestershire

Overcoming your fear of birds - 24 September: Experienced counsellor Mary Ison will use her skills in relaxation and counselling to help you on the road to overcoming a bird phobia. To pursue your peaceful pilgrimage, please contact our booking officer on 01453 891223 or email eleanor.wise@wwt.org.uk.

WWT Washington T 0191 416 5454 Tyne & Wear

Get out and enjoy the fresh air, take part in new activities and embrace that feeling of calm as you experience the health and well-being benefits of interacting with wildlife at WWT Washington.

Walk with a warden - 17 September: Every third Saturday of the month at 2pm. Join one of our expert staff as they lead a themed guided tour around our grounds.

Mums on the Move - Thursdays 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 September from 10.30-11.30am: Structured walks for new mums with the baby in the buggy

Pilates taster session - Tuesday 13 September from 1.30-2.15pm

Structured walk (with conditioning exercises along the way) - Wednesday 28 September from 1-2pm.

Nordic walking - Monday 5 September from 10.30-11.30am, Tuesday 13 September from 3.45-4.45pm, Wednesday 21 September from 12.30-1.30pm, Thursday 29 September from 10.30-11.30am.

WWT Welney T 01353 860711 Norfolk

Summer Walk: Squeeze out those last days of summer with a relaxing stroll round Welney’s seasonal Summer Walk, enjoying all the flora and fauna along the way.