The campaign is also the lead story in the latest issue of our wellbeing magazine ThriveAW published today. 


Evidence shows that access to green and blue space is associated with positive mental and physical health. In Adur and Worthing there are more than 100 parks, playgrounds and open spaces, and over 10 miles of coast, which have provided a vital wellbeing boost for many people during the long period of lockdown. 


The GreatOutdoorsAW campaign aims to raise awareness of the many ways that residents can enjoy being outdoors in Adur and Worthing and the health benefits of doing so. Activities on offer over the summer months and school holidays, include: 


•Bushcraft skills to learn how to survive and thrive in a natural environment. The sessions, which will be run by two of the Park Rangers, who are also Forest School teachers, will see participants building woodwork, going on nature trails and treasure hunts. 
•Arts & crafts sessions where visitors will be able to use watercolours, charcoal, wax rubbings, or air clay to create something to take home. There is also free face painting.
•Big Games Days for all the family to enjoy a range of activities, including rounders, golf, obstacle courses and giant board games.
•A series of 8-week outdoor activity courses - from cricket to zumba - being delivered as part of the GetActive initiative to support local residents to improve their health and wellbeing following the COVID pandemic. Under the initiative, residents pay a £10 fee to sign up, which is refundable if at least six out of the eight classes are completed. 


Throughout the summer, the Park Rangers will be hosting drop-in sessions for residents to ask questions about and share their views on how the parks are used, which will help inform the Councils’ wider plan for improving, maintaining and increasing the use of the green and blue spaces in Adur and Worthing. Other Councils staff will be out and about making connections with people who use the spaces.


This includes the £2m upgrade of Brooklands Park which has already seen the revival of the lake. Relandscaping of the park, with adventure playgrounds, a cafe and natural glades and walkways will continue later this year, and will provide a much-needed space for residents and visitors to enjoy. 


Cllr Kevin Boram, Adur’s Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing, said: 
“There’s been a huge increase in the number of people who regularly use our parks and beaches since the pandemic, which shows just how important these spaces are. 


Through the GetOutdoorsAW campaign we hope to raise awareness of the wide range of activities that are available for our communities to enjoy - from exercise classes to help people improve their fitness to volunteering opportunities to help care for the local environment. It’s so important that as we move out of lockdown we start to reconnect with others safely outside.”


Cllr Sean McDonald, Worthing’s Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing, said: 
“There is increasing evidence that having access to green and blue space is really important for our health - and we’re fortunate locally to have so much of it. 


“We encourage our residents to get outdoors and try out one of the many activities taking place in our open spaces this summer - there’s something for everyone to enjoy.” 


Find out more about what’s taking place under the GreatOutdoorsAW campaign this summer at https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/great-outdoors/


The latest issue of ThriveAW magazine, which is published online, showcases the wide range of initiatives being delivered by the Councils and partner organisations to support local communities. This includes an interview with Lis Long, the founder of Apron Community Garden in Buckingham Park in Shoreham, whose vision is to help tackle food poverty locally and create a safe, outdoor space for the benefit of the whole community. 


Other stories include the work of the Street Pastors, a Christian-based volunteer organisation, which helps to keep Worthing’s streets safe by making sure that everyone gets home safely after a night out; and the work of local community organisation, The Sid Youth, which has been supporting young people to return to school after the long period of absence during lockdown. 


To read the magazine in full, visit: https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/thrive-aw/