Active outdoors
When people talk about being active outdoors, there's often an unspoken rule that you're talking about going for a run, or climbing a mountain, doing something physically challenging and difficult. It's going to involve getting sweaty and out of breath, and possibly feeling quite uncomfortable. Now don't be mistaken, when I joined Morphfit Gentle Movement Project for their Climate Festival litter pick session last week, I did get a bit sweaty - I dressed for chilly autumnal weather and we were blessed with beautiful sunshine - and at times it was physically challenging - that crisp packet just out of reach under the bushes that you're determined to remove, for example - but there was just as much conversation, gentle strolling and connecting with nature. But how did an organisation with a focus on exercise - albeit gentle - end up getting involved in green health and climate activity? I decided to ask!
For a while Get Outdoors Lanarkshire has wanted to shine a spotlight on organisations that offer green health opportunities, particularly those organisations where it's not so obvious that their work includes elements of nature connection, so here's the first, introducing you to Morphfit Gentle Movement Project. Started by Kenny following his own skin cancer diagnosis; after surgeries and rehabilitation he developed a key interest in creating a health and fitness model which looked to support those with similar experiences. Morphfit aims to help people connect whilst increasing their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing in a safe and inclusive environment. Until recently this looked like inclusive and accessible exercise plans and lifestyle interventions offered in a fun, friendly and welcoming setting - their studio in Hamilton or satellite in East Kilbride. Their weekly classes are centred around chair based and where appropriate standing exercises. It's all tailored to the people in the group, so can be as gentle or as vigorous as you are able. Although I'd warn against being too enthusiastic! Our team at VASLan had a great session with one of the Morphfit instructors, but the whole "gentle" element disappeared quite quickly as we became more and more competitive.
One of their team wanted to share his love of the natural world with the Morphfit community. In 2024 they successfully sourced funding from the Lanarkshire Climate Action Hub to run a programme introducing their service users to climate action. The project was lead by Jamie who created a varied programme of activities with the aim of connecting people to nature and starting climate conversations. These included vegetable planting, a litter picking walk, making seed bombs and measuring people's carbon footprints. Jamie’s commitment to the environment has inspired their community to further connect with nature and supported them to make small changes. This has lead Morphfit to engage in more climate related activity working in partnership with Bothwell Road Action Group to run a community climate resilience project, focusing on the Whitehill area of Hamilton and involving the local community including the schools. Many bug hotels were built, painted and distributed throughout the local area, plus a new wildflower area was created in Bothwell Road Park.
Now, they've launched a new project called Nature Nurture. As we know nature is a pillar of human health and vital for keeping us emotionally, psychologically and physically healthy. Connecting to nature has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress, anxiety and depression, improve sleep and reduce loneliness, amongst other things. So Nature Nurture sessions will focus on the relationship between wellbeing and nature and how embracing the natural world can help to support mental health and wellbeing. Through guided walks, yoga, meditation and bird watching, participants will engage not only with one another but with the environment around them, forming a deeper relationship with the natural world. There might also be opportunities to get involved in litter picks, cold water dips, picnics and grounding. Plus they’re going to use our Nature Prescriptions to highlight seasonal delights, such as particular flowers blooming, expected birdsong to listen out for or pollinators arriving. They’ve described Nature Nurture as a nature prescription available and accessible to all – which I love. Our nature prescription booklets are great at making people aware of different ways to connect with nature, but I know that if someone isn’t already “into” nature then they might not pick one up. I’m grateful to Morphfit for not only giving their clients the prescription but also making it up and dispensing it to them. (I also hope to get an invite to one of the sessions; but not one that involves cold water!) If you want to get involved check out Morphfit's website or social media.
Since we've talked about litter, I just want to give another push to our recently published animation about the environmental harms of tobacco and vape waste. Whilst the number of vapes we retrieved in the park last week was minimal - perhaps the single use vape ban is having an effect - the rubbish associated with cigarettes, both packets and butts was not. It still astounds me that a single cigarette butt can contaminate a thousand litres of water. Yes. A THOUSAND. Let's try to make sure that cigarette butts are disposed of in bins. After they have been extinguished. If you have a noticeboard or strategically placed window, please display our Every Puff Pollutes poster which can be downloaded here. It seems from my research that this battle against cigarette waste has been in existence for nearly as long as smoking - but we will prevail!
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