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I have just spent the day with a most interesting mix of individuals. The most fascinating aspect of which was that we were all walking about an RSPB reserve, sharing stories, sharing food and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.
Phoenix Futures encourage and promote conservation therapy as a key part of both our residential services and, where possible, our community projects.
Today was about recognising the hard work of service users past and present, through the presenting of John Muir Awards certificates, the unveiling of a bench and the naming of the view from that bench.
Everyone involved whether a Park Ranger, RSPB warden, volunteer, staff member and of course the service users themselves had a fantastic day.
To see so many people, some of whom had no previous experience of being in the great outdoors talk of the enjoyment they gained from clearing paths, planting trees, chopping wood was a salient reminder that the whole “recovery journey” has to engage all the senses.
To hear people talk of the effect that being out amongst the woodlands, far from the “urban jungle”, has had. The peace and enjoyment they gain was a reminder to us all.
To take the time to stand still, admire the view and remember what we have achieved. And never to forget the power of simplest of pleasures.
Hey Marion,
Am with you on this one. From Brixton to Mossley has been a major change – not just physical. I have now seen all four seasons in the countryside, and even the crappy rainy days still reveal beauty. Gotta go before I get any more Wordsworth!
Dear Marion,
Sorry to be such a cut and paste merchant, but the following is what I wrote to a friend on another site the other day:-
“Oh, I forgot to tell you of the pleasure hawks have given me. When we moved up country thirty years ago there were common buzzards aplenty. Some nested in the woods uphill from us. They are related to the North American Red Tailed Hawk, and should not be confused with your Turkey Buzzards, though they have the same wingspan. I never saw one up close but they would circle for ages on thermals in courtship, emitting pathetic mewing sounds that would have disgraced the tiniest kitten; so strange that such a tiny sound should come from such a big butch bird. Rooks and crows dislike them and mob them sometimes, with the corvids generally prevailing because of their greater aerial skills, numbers, and sharp-pointed beaks.
I remember sitting by the stream and ford beside our local pub on a lovely summer day, the sky a blue vault with some wisps of cloud, doing the Guardian crossword when I noticed one circling about 100 feet above me in great spirals half a mile across and abandoned the puzzle. Bear in mind that this creature spreads its wings five feet, and is in all respects a bird to be reckoned with. Now I watched it for twenty minutes, as without flapping its wings once it became smaller & smaller, then all I could see was ., and after that nothing. With its eyesight however it probably could have told me that I had made an error at 11 down or nicked my chin while shaving.
Life is full of beautiful things along with all the dross.”
Nature is beautiful, and I am so glad that you have reminded me of this simple fact. Luv, k.
Kyril & Michaela,
Your comments really confirm the importance of remembering that we can enjoy the simple pleasure and also introduce them to those for whatever reason never had the chance to find out about till now.
Honestly to see so many happy, glowing faces enjoying a barbecue and walk (amazingly it was warm and dry) was a fantastic way to spend a Friday. Well done to all involved!
lovely to hear what your doing pheonix futures,
Marion
I clearly remember my first day in the Peak District doing CTP. I had been at Storth Oaks (Phoenix Rehab in Sheffield) for 5 days and was detoxing from Alcohol and Opiates and other stuff. It was late November cold, wet and windy. It was also stunningly beautiful and therapeutic on a really basic human level. I had done detoxes dozens of times but this was the first time I actually had thought about what I would do once the physically pain subsided. I did my detoxes completed another 11 sessions of dry stone walling, built a footpath in Lathkil valley which I still occasionally visit and graduated from the programme in 2009.
CTP helped me to focus on life after drugs and touched me in a very special way. I don’t have the words to describe exactly how, but it did.
A really big thank you to Jon Hall, all the staff at Phoenix Sheffield and all my peers I did my programme with. Special thoughts to the ones who sadly passed away!!
Conservation Therapy, Sounding good Pheonix Futures nice to hear what is happening with you.
We have CTP in Barnsley as part of Phoenix Futures Widening Horizons programme. Get out there and try it all you commissioners! I did, and it’s fantastic.
Marion
So good to see such fantastic comments about our CTP programme. Last Friday was one of the most powerfull days I have witnessed in 7 years delivering the CTP programme. To see the pride in our service users at the tree nursery and unveiling of the bench emphasised how powerfull the CTP programme is in recovery. I was sooo proud of everyone of our service users, what a fantastic end to the journey they have all experienced on CTP.
