Activities in great outdoors to help frontline workers destress

The resort's hidden woodland haven is preparing to burst back into life with a variety of sessions to nurture the well-being of both the younger and older generations.

Volunteers, family groups and work placements will see many changes at the Eco Centre in Richmond Drive when they return over the next few weeks.

Activities ceased at the beginning of lockdown, but the team at EcoSkegness have been really busy making sure everyone stays safe when activities start.

They replaced and rebuilt shelters and undercover facilities, created ‘socially distanced’ seating areas both outdoors and undercover, and built a larger pond dipping platform, a new outdoor kitchen and made many other changes.

Paul Charles, managing director at the Eco Centre, said: "“In line with Government guidance, you will see some changes in the way we do things as staff have reviewed everything we do to make sure we keep our visitors as safe as possible when you visit.

"We’ve positioned hand washing stations and in different places and hand sanitizer is available throughout the day and all toilets, seating, materials, equipment and tools are cleaned often and regularly.

"We know that everyone has suffered by not being able to spend time outdoors so we’ve opened as soon as we felt that we could keep everyone as safe as possible.

"We’re really looking forward to welcoming people back”.

After a difficult few months for everyone, it is hoped opening will allow visitors to spend some quality time outdoors and enjoy the natural world at the Centre.

The timing will allow people to release some of their stresses before the colder, darker months arrive.

As an added bonus, unless otherwise marked individually, all activities will be offered free of charge.

Paul said: "The special ‘Frontline Days’ are being arranged for those who have continued working in retail, supporting others, working in the NHS, working in care and many more as the Eco Centre's way of saying ‘thank you’ for keeping the country going during lockdown."

Due to current Government guidelines and limits imposed for social gatherings and social distancing, anyone wanting to attend must book their places by messaging ‘Paul Charles’ through Facebook messenger. Unfortunately, anyone turning up without booking we will be asked to leave but invited re-book for a future event.

However, The planned sessions will be extra special and more intimate as the numbers attending will be smaller.

Activities include:

 MINDFUL MONDAYS – available for all ages from early October offering individuals and groups the chance to enjoy the woodlands and wildlife

 FOREST TOTS AND ECO BABIES (Thursdays 10.30am-12noon) starts again from September 17 and 24 for pre-schoolers and their families

 WILD WEDNESDAYS - two sessions starting from September 23 from 10am-12noon and 12.30pm -2.30pm for a relaxed discovery session with your young ones. Take along drinks, snacks or a picnic or sit round the campfire for ‘brunch and lunch. There may be 'unicorns' interact with on some special days.

 WILD WEDNESDAY AFTER SCHOOL FOREST CLUB - 3.45pm-4.45pm for an hour of exciting woodland family fun to release some steam after a challenging day at school

 WOMEN OF THE WOODS (WOW) sessions designed for women to try lots of different outdoor activities and skills (date and time to be finalised).

 VOLUNTEER DAYS – two days have been planned for Saturday, October 3 and Saturday, November 7,from 10.30am and 12.30pm for habitat creation activities. Both sessions will end with a gathering around the campfire for toasted marshmallows and ‘socially distanced’ chat.

 ECOSHED sessions will take place every week to reconnect people with each other through a range of relaxed and chilled indoor activities in the Woodland Hub.

 WORK PLACEMENT activities will take place three days per week to allow people to try lots of different activities to build skills, prepare to get back into work or brush up on existing skills

 WOODLAND HUB is open for a range of indoor practical activities throughout the week – sessions, times and dates will as normal be based on the needs of the individuals or groups, Get in contact for more details. The Hub is also available for meetings.

 ECOCRAFT GROUP – a weekly ECOCRAFT group to allow people to join in and have fun making items in a relaxed environment in the Sycamore gate building.

 ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LEARNING will take place every week to re-engage with learning, gain new skills or have a go at something new.

 MOVE TUESDAYS – an exciting MOVE Project for those 19+ to help teenagers move closer to employment.

 WOODLAND WALK FOR WILDLIFE – this 1km long path will meander through the quietest parts of the Centre and give people the chance to enjoy a quiet walk or to sit and watch the wildlife from lots of regularly placed benches and seating areas

 YOGA, REIKI, OUTDOOR FITNESS, MINDFULNESS SESSIONS - details to follow.

 BUSHCRAFT - sessions for families, individuals and groups to spend days, nights or longer periods outdoors under canvas and learn about surviving in the wild. This is planned for Spring 2021 when the weather begins to improve.

 HALLOWEEN, ECOSPARKLE AND CHRISTMAS EVENTS will also take place – but slightly differently this year. More details closer to the time

“We regularly review government guidelines and will respond to the advice to hold more events and activities as soon as possible," said Paul. "We just ask people to respect the social

distancing rules to keep everyone safe.

Eco Centre Skegness contact information:

Paul Charles: email [email protected] or [email protected]

Paul Charles mobile: 07709 866 614

Travis Clark mobile: 07840 137 614

Facebook: TheCoastal EcoCentre’ OR ‘Paul Charles’

Twitter ‘@ecocentrepaul’ OR ‘@ecowellness’

Instagram ‘paulecocentre’