OVER the last year the toll of the coronavirus pandemic has stretched far beyond the physical impact of the disease, with lockdowns, shielding and isolation affecting many people’s mental health.

Some have found their confidence battered to the point where they are reluctant to resume routine activities like shopping or meeting with friends.

In Skipton a new organisation has emerged to help, with assistance aimed at gently re-acclimatising people to familiar activities while enjoying life outdoors.

The Ground Yourself in Green project has grown from the Skipton Step into Action group, which was appointed as a community support organisation by North Yorkshire County Council at the start of the pandemic.

The new organisation involved linking up with the town’s Incredible Edible group as well as Knaresborough based Yorkshire Yoga and mindfulness tutors, to offer a range of options for those in need of help.

While the scheme was denied a smooth start by the last lockdown - yoga lessons had to be moved online because of social distancing rules - the group has now begun to hold sessions where those attending can meet, while adhering to current restrictions.

The group is making use of Skipton’s Aireville Park for many of its sessions, which include two yoga and two ‘mindfulness’ sessions each Thursday until September.

They have also gained access to Incredible Edible flower beds and planters, providing access for those with mobility restrictions, while a Friday allotment session has also been organised, with a plot for those attending to grow their own.

The objective is to provide a range of support, which will benefit people with a variety of needs.

It means, for example, carers can leave those with dementia to walk in the park with volunteers while they take a break for a mindfulness session to help their own mental wellbeing.

They can also accommodate one to one sessions and mix-and-match nature based activities.

Funding for the current project is in place until September and it is hoped by that point people who want to return to normal activities like shopping or attending medical appointments - but now lack the confidence to do so - will find that situation gradually returning to normal.

Ground Yourself in Green’s Sarah Wilson said: “We have had a vision for quite some time to get people outdoors but with lockdown it had to be postponed.

“We were about to start a walk and talk trek in the community when lockdown came. Our vision was to be outdoors in the centre of Skipton in the lovely park with ‘nature burst’ activities,” she said.

That has finally come to fruition with weekly sessions now launched - “The feedback we have had has been amazing,” said Sarah.

The park sessions for walks, yoga and wellbeing are supplemented by Friday allotment trips, with funding for the project supplied by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health Care Partnership.

One-to-one walks have been organised where clients have found that helpful and there has been a strong demand from people wanting to attend future park sessions.

“It has been brilliant, just what we wanted, the community working together,” she said.

“The objective is to slowly get people back out and to integrate them into society.

“Some may jump straight in but others may need weeks of building up.”

Mindfulness teacher Rachel Clark said the techniques used were very helpful to aid relaxation, improve mood and sleeping patterns, reduce tension and stress and lower anxiety.

The small Thursday groups are relaxed and friendly, providing a fun and supportive way to safely spend time with other people.

Easy gentle techniques are taught in each session to develop awareness of the body and breath. Guided meditation, simple breathing practices and gentle mindful movement is included and are suitable for any level of experience including absolute beginners and for any physical limitations or ability.

Sessions in the park will also include some creativity, inspired by nature and the surrounding environment.

“A key part of my teaching is about having an attitude of kindness to yourself,” she said.

“Often, that attitude can be absent. People can be kind to their friends, their pets but not themselves.

“Kindness and compassion are absolutely transformative to our mood and health” she said.

Although participants need to book sessions, they do not need to attend every one to experience the benefits.

The methods used were “gentle, easy and accessible,” she said, “People can engage and benefit in the sessions and then use the techniques at home too. We have had a fantastic wide range of people coming in the first couple of weeks.”

While the scheme is currently funded until September, the long-term aim is for it to continue, with an ambition to find premises to use as a base in future.

Sarah said taking part was rewarding for volunteers: “I just love making a difference, what you give you get back,” she said.

“It is amazing to see how it has affected each and every one of those involved,” she said.

The service has proved a positive experience for Philip Mawson, who has made use of both the mindfulness sessions and allotment work.

“It is good for me to be in a group and good to get to know people with similar interests,” he said.

Philip has a longstanding problem with anxiety and said the activities were helping him, along with the Skipton Step into Action service, which made regular contact to check on his welfare.

Carla Finnigan is among those to benefit from attending early Ground Yourself in Green events, enjoying yoga, the allotment and taking part in mindfulness sessions.

She got involved after learning of the project through Skipton Step into Action, which had been helping with her shopping during the pandemic.

Carla said: “I have got more and more involved. I have met so many lovely people, who I would not have met had it not been for the lockdown.

“It is a lovely group of people and it was a great idea to put these events on. It gives people hope,” she said.

Find advice about looking after your mental health and accessing support in North Yorkshire at www.northyorks.gov.uk/mentalhealth

You can also find details of local voluntary and community groups at www.northyorkshireconnect.org.uk