A brand-new festival, Happier Outdoors, will help people across Greater London
discover opportunities to improve their physical and mental wellbeing by
connecting with nature on their doorsteps this spring. In partnership with Natura
England, the government’s advisory body on England’s natural environment, over
30 charitable, grassroots and government organisations in London will offer free
open days and activities highlighting the life-changing power of nature.
Londoners will be spoilt for choice, with over 50 activities available, including
gardening, walks, birdwatching, building a giant bug hotel and much more!
Brent won’t miss out on the fun, with Sufra offering a Seed Swap and Community
Volunteering day in St. Raphael’s Community Garden. Sufra NW London is a
local charity established in 2013 to address both the causes and consequences
of impoverishment in the community.
Based on St. Raphael’s Estate, our Community Hub provides a life-line for
people in crisis – including families living in extreme poverty and people who are
vulnerable, homeless and socially isolated.
St. Raphael’s Community Garden emerged from a local campaign by residents to
develop a food growing project for the community. With the help of hundreds of
volunteers, St. Raphael’s Edible Garden now has a wildlife pond, a fruit tree
orchard, compost bins, a pizza oven, plenty of raised beds and a stunning
pergola.
Join us in St. Raphael’s Community Garden for a SEED SWAP and a bit of
community gardening! We have 3 dates in March for you!
You might have some seeds you’d like us to grow for you or you simply want to
swap some or perhaps show off how exotic they are! We may just have
something you are interested in too.
Come along and meet new friends and enjoy nature.

Dates: 20 th / 23 rd / 27 th March
Time: 10am -1:30pm
Address:
St. Raphael’s Community Garden
162 Pitfield Way, NW10 0PW

The Happier Outdoors festival has grown from Natural England’s work supporting
green and blue social prescribing in London. Around 20% of GP visits in England
are for problems that can’t be resolved through medical help alone, such as
loneliness and chronic mental health needs. Social prescribing involves referring
patients to activities in their community that will improve their wellbeing.
Nature-focused activities are a powerful tool for improving health. People who
spend just two hours a week in natural spaces feel happier and healthier, even
when other factors are considered. Connecting with nature has been shown to
reduce depression, anxiety, stress, and dementia symptoms; increase attention
spans and feelings of security; and make people feel like they belong in their
neighbourhoods and are doing meaningful work.
There are organisations providing nature activities for wellbeing in every London
borough, yet they often find that local people and health care workers don’t know
about them. Happier Outdoors aims to change that.
To see all Happier Outdoors festival events in your area – plus activities you can
do in your own time, discussion prompts for groups and more – visit
happieroutdoors.london.

For further information or interviews, contact:
billie@sufra-nwlondon.org.uk
https://www.sufra-nwlondon.org.uk/