Our regular group meets at Wyre Estuary Country Park each Friday to immerse themselves in the natural world, learn new things and meet new people as part of the 5 ways to wellbeing:

• Give back
• Take Notice
• Connect
• Learn
• Be active

From making bird boxes and nesting feeders, creating new pond habitats, litter picking, planting trees,  collecting wild garlic to make garlic butter, to simply walking and talking along the estuary and recording the wildlife we encounter, I have thoroughly enjoyed the mix of activities and people I have met since attending, and I feel lucky to be part of such a special community.

I talked to three of our regular participants to see what they had to say about the theme of 'community' for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week 2025.

The Mental Health Foundation says that "Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense purpose."

Regular participant Alan says that his previous experiences of receiving help had been clinical and strange. He was directed to groups that didn’t quite suit him, but here at Wyre Estuary Country Park with the Bay, he says he feels supported. “Its not just that we’re outdoors and we’re following the 5 ways to wellbeing” he says, it’s a positive social experience. “I miss not coming [to the sessions].” He chalks this up to the approach and support from session leader Mike, and the mixed ages and genders of the group, with whom he has a laugh, even if that session he doesn’t feel good and just wants to enjoy the fire. “I feel quite popular and I feel comfortable expressing myself.”

But what does the word 'community' mean to us at The Bay?

"I find it a broad-spectrum word – community- because you can be in a community on your road, in your county etc. Now, bringing it back to this group- this community- I love the way I don’t feel there’s any cliques. It's inclusive"

- Diane, new participant

The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery benefits the communities of Wyre, Morecambe and Barrow-in-Furness, while also helping to support and alleviate some of the stresses on NHS mental health services. If you feel you could benefit from our services, you can refer yourself, or refer someone else to The Bay community.