My Theme for the year
Alongside my prime focus of supporting the police and the administration of justice, when it comes to promoting charities and the voluntary sector, I've chosen my theme to be 'Nurture through Nature'.
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Nature is my passion, a life-long interest borne from growing up on a family farm near Ware in East Hertfordshire, where I am so lucky to live and work. The changing seasons are a vital part of farming life but also to my own sense of wellbeing. I look forward to the first cuckoo calls in April, the honeybees in summer, the changing colours of autumn trees and the nodding snowdrops in January.
And the science is clear: exposure to Nature is proven to help physical and mental wellbeing. I am concerned to make Nature more accessible to those in towns, to promote opportunities for all of us to step away from the incessant distraction and stress of screens to find those moments when we can press pause, hear birdsong or notice a chestnut tree bursting into leaf. My vision is to encourage more people from all parts of Hertfordshire to access Nature's powers of healing, education and community spirit.
If you have a project that involves exercise, adventure, learning, or just spending time with others in the great outdoors, I would be keen to support you. Are you working with Nature to help others develop confidence and understanding? This might be through community gardens, pond-dipping for school children, park runs, scout outings, health walks, or any such initiatives.
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Can I encourage and learn more about your efforts to Nurture through Nature? If so please contact me by emailing highsheriff@hsoh.org.uk.​
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