Wilder Wellbeing - Sam's Experience
The Wilder Wellbeing programme and my transition to volunteering on the future programmes at Maidstone
“Before joining the Wilder Wellbeing group, I struggled to make time for myself, to be able concentrate on one thing at a time and to get outside and enjoy nature. I used to believe that time spent outside was time that could be spent in ‘better’ ways. This all changed due to attending this group.
A week or 2 before the group started, I had a phone call explaining a little about the group and what they do and what I can hope to achieve by attending. It sounded good, but definitely not something I would normally have chosen to do. But, at the time, I wanted to change a few things in my life, and I thought to myself that it was worth at least, attending the taster session, I didn’t expect to enjoy it and I certainly didn’t expect to join the full group.
On the first day of the group I was met by Nikki and introduced to the group. It felt natural being there and the breathing techniques, the grounding and the learning altogether made it so easy to enjoy. Nikki is very knowledgeable and has a calm and confident demeanour, which makes being outside within nature just that little more enjoyable. I found that after a few weeks I started to put into place some of the things I’d learned at the group. The most important and life changing one for me was the breathing and grounding exercises. I was able to find moments, during the days that I wasn’t at the group, to stop for a minute or two and ground myself. I found that anxious times could be dealt with by doing these things and most of the time any one that was around me wouldn’t have even known what I was doing.
The activities that we partake in throughout the group are all aimed at giving us that little break from the daily grind of life. My mind got so busy with the things we did, that I often felt like I was in a complete other world. A world full of peace, tranquillity and fresh air. Thanks to this group I now have those times in my life at home and when I’m out.
By the end of the group I had realised just how important the things we’d been taught were, not just for me but for my loved ones too. I have since used almost everything I’ve learned, whether that be through teaching loved ones the same techniques or just by noticing the world around me. We are all guilty of visiting somewhere and not noticing what’s around us, after this group I haven’t seen the world the same again.
Before the group, if I knew it was going to rain I’d make sure I got myself indoors, protected from the weather. This type of behaviour is taught to most us at such a young age. I have now learned that it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing. If it’s raining outside, why not put a coat on and go and enjoy it.
My 7 weeks with the group came to an end, and I was a changed person. However I felt a yearning inside of me to go on and help others experience the same things I just had. To my utter surprise II was offered the chance to become a volunteer with all future groups and I grabbed at the chance.
I've just started helping with my second group and it is truly the one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. To be able to see the difference in every single person that joins the group is an amazing feeling, and to know that I am now helping with that makes it even more rewarding.
Each of us, are on our own journey in this world, we grow at different rates both physically and emotionally, but every journey can be enhanced, by being out in nature and taking in the fresh air and what’s around us. It’s mind blowing to me that it took nearly 40 years for me to realise this. It’s definitely true when they say you learn new things everyday, and the Wilder Wellbeing group is one of the places I’ve learned the most.”
A massive thank you to Sam for sharing her experience and being such a wonderful volunteer, and to Rachel who volunteers on the Sevenoaks Wilder Wellbeing programmes – you are both stars! If you are interested on volunteering on a Wilder Wellbeing programme, then please contact Vicky Aitkenhead on vicky.aitkenhead@kentwildlife.org.uk to find out more – our Wilder Wellbeing programmes are beginning to expand to other areas of the county, and we would appreciate your support.
