News

The Mersey Forest team, with the help of the Green Task Force, have been preparing ground ready for planting on a number of sites and the first trees are being planted. 
 
Over the last three years the Mersey Forest has worked with partners and landowners to establish 220 hectares of new woodland across Cheshire and Merseyside through the national Trees for Climate programme. That's the equivalent of filling 11,220 tennis courts with trees.  
 
Although many of these trees are in their infancy now, their impact will be felt far and wide across the region for generations to come. A recent study by Liverpool John Moores University shows that thanks to these newly planted schemes over 47,000 households in the area are within 500m of an accessible wood, with 21% of these homes based in some of the country's most deprived area. 
 
Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said: "We saw over the lockdown period just how important green spaces and woodlands were to people's health and wellbeing. They are spaces for people to connect with nature, places to socialise or to seek a moment of peace in their busy lives. Establishing trees and woodlands that benefit our communities is the essence of Community Forestry and will be what we're focused on over the coming planting season." 
 
The study shows that once established the newly created woodlands could generate over 490,000 recreational visits, with an estimated total value of over £1.5 million per year.   
 
The LJMU study also found the planting will provide the below benefits for the region. 

58 hectares of flood risk land will be improved by the planting, helping to reduce the risk of flooding for local communities. The value of additional water storage on these sites is estimated at £26,640 per year. 

1,620ha of ecological network has been improved, providing more joined up habitats for wildlife to thrive. 

The trees planted will capture 2,962 tonnes of CO2 annually, the equivalent of removing 2,154 cars from the road annually. The economic value of this is estimated to be £219,439. 

Paul, continued: "The study by colleagues at LJMU shows the real impact that good planting can make to an area.  We work closely with a wide range of partners to find land where woodland can be established, with a particular focus on schemes that can provide the most benefit to the local community. 
 
"We're set to get planting again this winter, providing our flexible grants, advice and support to a range of landowners who are all doing their bit to help grow and maintain The Mersey Forest." 
 
The Mersey Forest is the lead for the national Trees for Climate programme, which is funded through the government's multi-million pound Nature for Climate Fund. Cheshire West and Chester Council is the accountable body for the programme, supporting the 13 Community Forests who are delivering the programme nationwide. 
 
Landowners and farmers with land available for tree planting can find out about our flexible grants, which can fund a range of woodland creation schemes from 0.1ha up by visiting: www.merseyforest.org.uk/planttrees  

With the colder weather, reduced daylight, and impending winter, this time of year can have an impact on our overall wellbeing and prove challenging for our mental health. By recognising the potential challenges that come with the changing seasons, you can take steps to help you navigate the transition into autumn and beyond, and maintain your wellbeing.

Here are some suggestions to help support your mental health at this time of year.

Head out during the day
The decrease in daylight during autumn can disrupt our body's internal clock, leading to imbalances in melatonin and serotonin levels which may disrupt sleep and mood. To counteract this, spending time outdoors during the daylight hours is essential. Sunlight exposure not only helps to regulate hormones but also increases vitamin D levels which boost the immune system. Try to spend some time outside during the day; it's a great way to help your body stay on track and feel happier, and it's still effective during overcast weather.

Stay active if you can
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine can significantly improve your mental wellbeing during the colder months. A walk in the crisp autumn air can release feel-good endorphins and reduce stress and anxiety. So, when you see the colourful leaves fall, take a stroll outside to appreciate nature.

Get a boost of nature
Nature can have a huge impact on our mental health. Spending time outdoors to appreciate the natural wonders, particularly amid autumn's splendour, can be therapeutic. From the changing colours and the sound of rustling leaves to the sight of geese migrating, autumn is a beautiful time of year. Take a moment to savour the sights and smells for a natural boost to your wellbeing.

Get social
Connecting with others can be beneficial to our wellbeing, especially at this time of year when you may generally head out less. Our Natural Health Service has a range of outdoor activities available to support your health and provide you with a chance to connect with others in your community. Our programme includes Mindful Contact with Nature, Gardening for All sessions, and Health Walks. Find out how to sign up and get involved: https://naturalhealthservice.org.uk/wordpress/cheshires-natural-health-service/

There are also a great range of Community Groups who care for woodlands and greenspaces across The Mersey Forest. You can find a list of local groups on our website: https://www.merseyforest.org.uk/things-to-do/join-a-community-group/

Where to get help
While there are definitely actions we can take to reduce stress and anxiety, it's important to remember that feeling low isn't confined to a specific season. Regardless of the time of year, dips in mental health can happen and affect us at any time, so it's important to seek help when you need it. There are numerous services and resources available to support those in need.

The Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) has a mental health helpline for residents of Cheshire and Wirral. Open 24 hours a day, seven-days a week, it is available to people of all ages including children and young people who need urgent mental health support. Call the helpline on 0800 145 6485, and find out more: https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/getting-help/need-urgent-help

REACHOUT Liverpool is a Suicide Prevention campaign aimed at those in crisis and those who may be concerned about someone: https://www.liveyourlifewell.info/kindtoyourmind/reachout-suicide-prevention/

Kind To Your Mind Liverpool has a range of support available on their website to improve mental health and wellbeing: https://kindtoyourmindliverpool.co.uk/

Samaritans are also available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit your local branch. Find out more: https://www.samaritans.org/

Explore the Every Mind Matters campaign to find the little big thing you can do to improve your mental health: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters

The study, commissioned by the Northern Forest partnership, and conducted by Liverpool John Moores University, looked to reveal the real impact of the 5 million plus trees that have so far been planted in the ambitious project to link Liverpool to Hull with trees.

 Key points from the study show:

• 1,724 hectares of trees have so far been planted – enough to fill approximately 2,000 football pitches with trees
• Trees planted in the Northern Forest are expected to sequester an additional 19,855 tonnes CO2 per year over their lifetime, valued at £1,470,873 (non-traded price of carbon)
• Additional 3,500 hectares of useable space for key woodland species
• Additional 965 hectares planted for flood risk reduction

The news comes on eve of the political parties' autumn conferences where the Woodland Trust is calling on nature to be front and centre of future party manifestos.

The Northern Forest has hugely benefited from the likes of the Government's Nature for Climate Fund which has helped 5.3 million trees be planted so far, but for it to keep progressing the charity says renewed funding needs to be committed.

Nick Sellwood, the Woodland Trust's Northern Forest programme director, said: "The climate and nature crises demand our urgent, unswerving attention. A general election is coming and poll after poll shows that the environment is a top priority for voters. Every political party should be backing projects that can deliver real environmental and social benefits like the Northern Forest.

"The time is now for all parties to commit to tackling climate change and part of that is supporting schemes to get more trees in the ground. 

"The Northern Forest is wonderful project which has brought together multiple agencies to make the north greener – and while there is still some way to go to reach the 50 million target of tree planting, the results so far are remarkable!"

The Northern Forest project kicked off in 2018. Among its aims were to increase the very low tree cover across the north of 7.6 per cent, compared to the national average of 13 per cent, by establishing at least 50 million new trees by 2043, to help transform the landscape from Liverpool to the Yorkshire Coast. 

It also aimed to lock up tonnes of carbon to fight climate change, reduce the risk of flooding and create more jobs.

It has since expanded through villages, towns and countryside, thanks to a core partnership involving the Woodland Trust and four community forests, Manchester City of Trees, The Mersey Forest, Humber Forest and the White Rose Forest, and the Community Forest Trust.

Paul Nolan, Chair of England's Community Forests and Director of The Mersey Forest, said: "Community Forests have a track record of working alongside our communities to establish new woodlands in and around our towns and cities, creating access to green spaces that generations of residents will benefit from. The Northern Forest is an ambitious project that is vital to help the North adapt to a changing climate, whilst improving people's health and wellbeing and our economies.  Through our partnership approach we've seen great progress over the last five years, and we're excited to continue the good work through to our 2043 target."

Working with Mersey Forest, Huntington Parish Council has involved hundreds of people from the local community in planting 800 trees, creating a woodland that they will be able to watch grow every time they visit the village's Jubilee Park. The team recommended a mixed broadleaf woodland that would not only create a sanctuary for wildlife, but also help to reduce water logging on the field and provide a buffer to help reduce road noise and pollution from the nearby North Wales Expressway. Since then, scores of people have enjoyed the benefits of nature getting involved in activities such as green gym sessions and family nature sessions.

 Louise Gibson, Clerk at Huntington Parish Council, said: "Planting these trees has brought the whole community together for such a worthwhile environmental cause. We have had so much amazing feedback about the tree planting and how important it is for Huntington."

For more information about the Northern Forest go to: https://thenorthernforest.org.uk/

 *Based on the Woodland Access Standard that states that:

• No person should live more than 500m from at least one area of accessible woodland at least 2ha in size.
• There should be a woodland of at least 20ha in size within 4km of people's homes. 

Salt Men Confidential is a Natural Health Service-funded group that meet every Tuesday afternoon at Marbury Park, Northwich, to walk, talk, learn, and share in a safe space surrounded by nature.

Using their creative skills, the group have spent the last few months capturing various aspects of nature in photographs to help connect the nature around them to aspects of their wellbeing. Now, their creativity is being showcased at an art exhibition at Visual Arts Cheshire in Northwich. 

The exhibition captures a range of emotions in the group's art pieces, with each photo promoting the importance and variations of men's mental health.

Why not take the time to walk in their footsteps, visit the personal spaces within the park that have helped them, and meet with the group to discuss men's health, wellbeing and mental health?

If you are interested in visiting or would like to join the group, you can pop down to the exhibition or have a chat with the programme leader.

The work will be on display on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 10.30am and 4pm until October 21st. To find the exhibition, follow directions to Visual Arts Cheshire, Unit 40, Northwich, CW9 5LG. 
 
The programme is completely free to join and a full Natural Health Service timetable is available to view on our website. 

 
Colliers Moss North is a green space, full of plants and wildlife that sits at the heart of Parr, Sutton, Bold and Burtonwood in St Helens and is one of the sites managed The Mersey Forest.

The area includes Colliers Moss North and Colliers Moss South and is known locally as "The Moss".  Together with Dave, Bold Park Project Manager from The Mersey Forest and Carla and Mark from the Green Task Force Veteran Rangers, they researched wildlife, walked on the moss with The Moss Fairies, explored Colliers Moss North. They spotted animals and planned and designed activities to do on the Moss to share with the local community and all those who visit the Moss. 
 
Over the summer Heart of Glass ran a series of creative workshops for local families to work with Juneau Projects to make wildlife and landscape illustrations using paint, paper-cutting, and share their stories and memories of the Moss, which is one of England's important peatlands.
 
A Spotters Guide and Activity Book was created by local communities who live near Colliers Moss North working with artists Juneau Projects and Heart of Glass.

The guide is being distributed to participants at the launch and a downloadable version will be available at heartofglass.org.uk/HeartOfTheMoss after the launch.
   
Join collaborative art duo Juneau Projects for the launch of a new children's activity book, created in collaboration with the local community. The book, which people can use to explore 'the Moss', features drawings made by local families over a number of workshops this summer.
 
Books will be available on site, and distributed locally to groups in Parr who have worked on the project over the summer of 2023.
 
Intros 
10.50am
A welcome moment with the Heart of Glass team and Dave McAleavy from The Mersey Forest.
 
Nature Walk
11am - 11.45am 
Phil and Ben (Juneau Projects) share their new activity book as part of a walk led by the Green Task Force Veteran Rangers, and Heart of Glass staff.
 
Bush Crafts 
11.45am - 1.30pm
Take part in a range of outdoor activities led by The Green Task Force Veteran Rangers. 
 
If you are joining us for the majority of the day, please bring your own packed lunch. There will be a campfire and basic tea facilities only on site. 
 
Nature Walk 
2pm - 3pm
Phil and Ben (Juneau Projects) share their new activity book as part of a walk led by the Green Task Force Veteran Rangers, and Heart of Glass staff.
 
Finish
3pm - 3.15 pm
Refreshments
 
Suitable for families.
 
Visit the Heart of Glass website for further information.