The Greater Shepparton Foundation builds partnerships and collaborations to connect the needs of the local community with essential resources and skills to tackle and disrupt the cycle of disadvantage. The Foundation Features series will help shine a light on those driving change through innovative initiatives, as well as highlight community organisations that align with the foundation’s purpose.
Greater Shepparton Foundation has provided a $25,000 grant to Headspace Shepparton to complete the Nature Scripts program.
Designed by the People and Parks Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Nature Scripts is a nature-centric social prescription program targeting people aged 18 to 25 experiencing poor mental health delivered by Headspace Shepparton.
The program is delivered through small nature-based group workshops, using a connection to nature, which has been scientifically linked to health benefits, including a decrease in depression and stress, improved symptoms of ADHD, heightened focus and the cultivation of attention restoration properties. Additionally, individuals experience an increased sense of wellbeing, improved self-concept and enhanced resilience — a testament to the transformative power of nature.
The Nature Scripts intervention is a weekly, nature-based group experience managed by a Nature Scripts co-ordinator that provides direct experience, information and encouragement for each participant to build and sustain their own personal Nature Dose as a form of ongoing, sustainable self-care. A Nature Dose is described as the benefits that can be gained from an intentional, multi-sensorial connection with nature.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that almost two in five individuals aged 16 to 24 experienced a mental disorder in the past year.
We know that young people in the Greater Shepparton community have been through a lot in the past five years, and the compounding effects of COVID-19, the 2022 floods and the cost-of-living crisis are all impacting mental health in significant ways.
Greater Shepparton Foundation is thrilled that funds raised during the Flood Recovery Campaign and a grant via our Margaret Attwood Grant Round will be put towards such an important program targeting our region’s young people and finding meaningful ways to support their mental health.
Headspace Shepparton general manager Robyn Hucker says the Nature Scripts program will use the funds to continue implementation and evaluation of the free pilot program, with the results of the Melbourne University evaluation able to leverage the continuation of the program.
Our grants are community-strengthening and seek to support projects that deliver a big impact on our community.
The annual grant process is twofold. It provides support for many diverse projects delivered to support our community, and it uncovers some of the wonderful work that others are doing to support and provide equal opportunity locally.
This is one such project that caught our eye when reviewing our applications this year. We are out in the community listening and learning about the most pressing need, and mental health, particularly in our young people, is an area that we hear about time and again. Nature Scripts required additional funding, met this important need in our community and met the criteria for both our Margaret Attwood Grants Program and the Community Flood Recovery funds.
When we discover new place-based projects developed to benefit our community, we often uncover innovative ways to collaborate, support and create impact in areas of need.
You can read about the other place-based projects that the Greater Shepparton Foundation Supports on our ‘Major Projects’ page on our website, www.greatershepparton.foundation
Until next time.
Amanda McCulloch,
Greater Shepparton Foundation executive officer