A chat with VOCAL: Being outdoors “makes you feel good”

Spending time outdoors can be a powerful way to keep well and connect with others. VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) supports unpaid carers in Edinburgh and Midlothian through personalised advice and information, access to short breaks, counselling, signposting to other organisations, and more. They offer free, accessible ways for carers to meet other carers and spend more time in nature.

This Green Health Week, we asked Charmaine and Naomi from VOCAL to share a bit about two services they run that help carers enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of green and blue spaces. 

What we do at VOCAL

We know that for many carers, putting someone else’s needs first can make it hard to prioritise your own health and wellbeing. That’s why we offer free, accessible ways for carers to meet others in similar situations and spend more time outdoors.

Two of the services we run, the Carers Training Programme and the Carer Community Fund, are making a big difference helping carers to access the benefits of nature.

Charmaine from the Carers Training Programme

Our Carer Training programme offers free events and activities for carers registered with VOCAL. Many of these events focus on getting outside and doing physical activity – all beginner friendly – such as:

• Walk and talk at various locations
• Cycling groups
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Gym induction sessions
• Pickleball

What our participants say

• “It overcame my previous feeling that the gym was not for me.”
• “I just felt so relaxed after.”
• “Love the walk through nature. It’s very calming. Love to see the changing seasons as we walk it throughout the year.”
• “I felt calm after this and could go back into my caring role feeling more able to cope. Dr Neil’s garden was such a beautiful setting. It was nice to meet other carers.”
• “I really needed yesterday’s nature connections session as it has been a very difficult time recently. I felt very supported and revitalised.”
• “Yesterday’s event at the Salisbury Centre was so mood enhancing and reminded me how good it is possible to feel. Nature and writing – a perfect combination.”

Why I’m passionate about supporting carers

Being a carer myself, I have lived experience of the rewards and challenges of caring. I believe it is important to recognise the valuable work carers do, often putting their own social life, health and wellbeing last. Caring can be isolating and I am passionate about supporting carers to maintain social connections, good health and wellbeing, and prevent burnout and crisis.

Exercise groups and being out in nature can bring carers from all different backgrounds and caring responsibilities together to have time for themselves, connect and improve their health and wellbeing.

How I look after my mental health

I enjoy walking and being outdoors.

Find out more at carerstraining.co.uk/events or contact carertraining@vocal.org.uk or 0808 196 6666.

Naomi from the Carer Community Fund

At VOCAL, we partner with other organisations who are also supporting carers.

Many of these organisations have set up carers’ groups which help carers get outside. For example:

Why I’m passionate about supporting carers

I’m aware of the impact that a caring role can have on someone’s physical and mental wellbeing. Carers often don’t have enough time for themselves to get out, exercise or socialise with others. Helping create little opportunities for carers to get together with others – ideally outdoors and in nature – and then seeing the positive difference that this makes really spurs me on!

How I look after my mental health

Being out in nature and getting fresh air, light, and exercise; eating good food; and socialising with others helps me maintain my mental health. Finding joy in the day-to-day and helping others also makes me feel better.

To find out more about upcoming carer groups, visit vocal.org.uk/groups or contact centre@vocal.org.uk or 0808 196 6666 (option 2).