By Stephen Le Quesne
FIRST, an apology and correction in relation to my column a couple of weeks ago. I gave the impression that the current government does not support green social prescribing and that nothing is currently being done. I mentioned that pilot schemes and trial periods are not happening with the wording “which we are yet to do”.
This part of my column was factually incorrect and that part should not have been included. It was meant to be deleted before I sent it over to the JEP.
At the beginning of my writing process, I have a large brainstorm period where I jot down all ideas, thoughts and points of view that I want to think about. I then go through multiple edits and rewrites and these six words, which were incorrect should have been deleted. I apologise for this error, it was a genuine mistake.
I know that the government has recently started a new social prescribing scheme, which revolves around the Connect Me initiative, and that they are currently testing how this will work within the Island. A lot of work has gone into this, and the scheme needs all our support. I hope that it is given the time and backing it needs and deserves. We are talking about long-term planning and implementation via successive governments and ministers so that it becomes an integral part of our health service.
With this error in my mind, I would like to focus on some positive projects and initiatives that are currently happening and which always welcome new support. I think sometimes that I am guilty of brushing over positives and going straight for the negatives. It is not deliberate, but more than likely a consequence of ingrained long-term social media use and a neurodiverse way of thinking.
The first example is Jersey Trees for Life, of which I am a member. They have gone through an incredibly positive transformation over the past couple of years and have harnessed the enthusiasm and power of volunteers to undertake and complete several projects and important environmental work at Val de la Mare reservoir, where they have their arboretum.
They are a relatively small charity who punch way above their weight and who manage and carry out the important Island-wide hedgerow campaign which plants thousands of saplings per year. I would recommend reading up on what they do. They are starting to help fill the environmental spaces that the National Trust for Jersey (another charity that we do not give enough recognition or support) are not able to.
Jersey Heritage is an organisation that I also feel does not get enough praise or recognition (or financial support) for what they do and the vast abundance of heritage and history that they protect. One of the jobs that I currently have is ad hoc site gardien for Jersey Heritage, a role I thoroughly enjoy. The expertise and care the staff members on the ground show daily is second to none and we should not take this for granted, especially considering the importance of the sites they look after, communicate about and share with people who visit our island. Their responsibilities cover areas of great historical, environmental and cultural significance and they do worthwhile, critical work within tight constraints.
It was reported in August this year that Grow, (which is small charity) was granted planning permission to build and create infrastructure to assist in its mission to create a therapeutic gardening and community space for all.
Grow is relatively new and has been running for about three years now. It is based behind Surville Cemetery and relies heavily on a small group of people to keep it running and moving forward. The charity has rather big plans and aims to embrace the areas of wildlife gardening, social prescribing, therapeutic gardening, horticulture and outdoor learning. Grow wants to create an inclusive community space to assist individuals and families in learning about growing and cooking their own food as well as providing produce to foodbanks and people in need. Quite the aim and vision, but one we should take notice of.
These are only a very few examples of charities, community groups and individuals that contribute positively to our island, while mostly being hidden away. These and others share the mission of being what I term our ‘social glue’, in that they bring people together, break down social boundaries and create and provide that sense of belonging that we all need and look for.
When governments and local communities have to deal with types of austerity or increased costs it is often these “social glue” initiatives that are the first ones to suffer, creating gaps and distances between all of us and taking away our connections to the community around us. I hope that the government’s Connect Me project can provide some new “social glue”, and I wish them the very best of luck.
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Stephen Le Quesne is a naturalist, conservationist, forest school leader and nature connection advocate.
