Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in reported struggles with mental health, caused in part by prolonged lockdowns, social isolation, loss of income, and acute reactions to witnessing the rising death toll. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), since 2020, anxiety and depression prevalence has increased by 25% globally. These impacts are particularly significant in Cornwall, where further socio-economic pressures such as poor housing, education, transport and employment are responsible for increased anxiety and isolation.

There has been a great deal of recent research on the benefits of “Blue Health” and Green Social Prescribing, with community projects such as Two Bays being integral to delivering preventative and ongoing wellbeing care. Practical working in the coastal environment has been highlighted as being particularly successful in relieving feelings of anxiety, stress and social isolation.

Anyone and everyone will benefit from spending time with us, but we will be targeting vulnerable groups such as young people, the old, those with physical impairments, carers and those with life-limiting conditions. Together we can carry out conservation activities for the benefit of both communities and the environment.

With the help of Pentreath and Cornwall Mind we will be focussing on group-based activities at our Marine Centre, and along the coast. Many of these activities, such as beach cleans, will be informal and open to all, but others, such as our planned Hope Cafe, Hope Walks and Mental Health Gym will be more tailored to the needs of specific groups (‘Hope’ activities are specifically aimed at those bereaved by suicide, for instance).