Blenheim celebrates World Mental Health Day across all areas of its Estate
Blenheim Palace is encouraging all to take a ‘wellbeing walk’ to mark World Mental Health Day (10th October) as it highlights the positive impact of social prescribing and the natural environment on mental health and wellbeing. ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’ is committed to creating accessible, nature-based and health and wellbeing initiatives through its Blenheim Innovation Partnership for all of its visitors and staff.
Across its various businesses – Palace, Estate and Property, Blenheim has introduced a number of initiatives and programmes as part of a campaign to create a healthy workplace environment.
Blenheim, its property arm Blenheim Estate Homes and long standing development partner Pye Homes, have introduced a Wellbeing Ambassador programme for their staff, and have a new drop in ‘tea and chat’ session in their employee hub. They also have a dedicated Wellbeing Coach Ruth Chaloner, a trained Psychotherapist that supports all staff with their mental health and provides mentoring, coaching and training. Ruth supports and trains a team of 24 Wellbeing Ambassadors who are on hand to offer advice and reminders about how to reach out for support.
Research is consistently supporting the idea that spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing overall emotional resilience. This October, Blenheim Palace is encouraging people to immerse themselves in nature within its 2,000 acres of Parkland and Gardens with a variety of Wellbeing Walks for all abilities. The routes include The Formal Gardens, The Secret Garden, The Lakeside and Cascades, The Queen Pool, The Park Perimeter and the Column of Victory View.
Social prescribing, which connects individuals with non-clinical support in the community, has gained recognition as an approach to improving mental health. Blenheim Palace’s initiative to provide time on the Estate as a legitimate treatment to improve physical and mental health focuses on harnessing the therapeutic power of nature, and championing outdoor activities, from mindful walks in the Park and Gardens to guided group sessions that foster social connections.
The social prescribing scheme also includes the UNESCO World heritage site partnering with Aspire, an Oxfordshire-based charity supporting homeless and disadvantaged individuals, Eden Project and the University of Oxford on the project which was funded by Research England.
For those further afield, walkers can be transported to Blenheim Palace by listening to the Spotify wellbeing podcast series ‘Being at Blenheim’. These were recorded in peaceful spots from several of the above Estate walks including Bladon Bridge, The Secret Garden, The Cascades, High Park and at the edge of the lake by the famous Harry Potter tree. Wellbeing and Nature Connection Coach and Mindfulness Teacher, Claire Branigan, provides gentle running commentary alongside calming sounds of nature.
Roy Cox, Managing Director -Estates, said, “At Blenheim Palace, we believe in the transformative power of nature to promote mental health and wellbeing. We’re working to create opportunities for everyone to experience the benefits of spending time outdoors, whether that’s through social prescribing or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the Estate.”
Ruth Chaloner, Wellbeing Coach – Blenheim Palace, added,“We passionately believe that as a business, it’s crucial to support our staff with their mental health. We live in a challenging world at the moment and our people sometimes bring those challenges to work with them. By ensuring we have the skills to help people and, in particular, to understand and have an awareness of the signs of a developing issue, we can practice preventative care and robust support for our people in their time of need.”
To explore the health benefits of Blenheim Palace, visit www.blenheimestate.com/land/strategy/natural-health-service/
To find out more about Blenheim Palace’s ‘Wellness Walks’ and ‘Being at Blenheim’ on Spotify, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/visitus/wellness-walks/
Blenheim Palace’s video ‘Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace’ – download here
ENDS
For more information, contact Jon Perks at Cab Campaign – blenheim@cabcampaign.co.uk
About Blenheim Palace
Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and designed by
Vanbrugh in the Baroque style, it was financed by Queen Anne, on behalf of a grateful nation, following the first Duke of Marlborough’s triumph over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession.
Today it houses one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe, which includes portraits, furniture, sculpture and tapestries.
Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill, and it was his father who described the vista on entering the Estate from the village of Woodstock as the ‘finest view in England’.
