Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. With over 42% of us turning to our green spaces during the pandemic to help with our mental health, this year’s theme is nature. Find out more about this year’s theme on the Mental Health Foundation website.
Lewisham is home to many beautiful parks, open spaces and nature reserves. They provide an important home for wildlife and biodiversity and have direct social value providing health and wellbeing for the community.
We asked our staff and community to tell us about their favourite green space in the borough and how it has supported their mental health during the last year. Find out more about your local green spaces.
Lewisham Park
“Parks have been really important to me over recent months, whatever the weather, and have provided me with much needed space to be calm, quiet and thoughtful as I walk through the greenery and trees.”
Kim Wright, Chief Executive
Mountsfield Park, Catford
“Working from home means that I'm out less but I really enjoy visiting our parks when I get a break. Mountsfield Park is special to me as it was my local park when I first moved to Lewisham. I love that it feels a bit wild as it can be difficult to feel connected to nature in a big city.”
Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham
Beckenham Place Park
"It’s been lovely to visit Beckenham Place Park, particularly now the bluebells are in bloom. The lake and the woodland are beautiful and it’s a very uplifting environment."
Councillor Chris Best, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care
Evelyn Green, Deptford
“The green here is an idyllic place, it's so quiet, great to come and find peace and listen to life pass you by whilst taking some time out."
Dawn Atkinson, Christina Norman and Natasha Ricketts, Lewisham Mayoresses
Blythe Hill
“Blythe Hill field has been my place to unwind during lockdown for walking and jogging. It has helped me with my mental wellbeing in this incredibly difficult time.”
Councillor Tauseef Anwar, Speaker of Lewisham Council
Ladywell Fields
“Ladywell Fields has been my favourite green space in Lewisham this year. The sound of water lapping in the river is a particular stress reliever. When I’m here it feels like bucolic countryside, not an inner city park, and that’s the escape and sense of space I’ve needed.”
Councillor Sophie McGeevor, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport
Manor House Gardens, Lee
“The beautiful landscape with the lake, ducks and many different trees and plant species kept me and my two sons at peace during the lockdown.”
Gemma Marston, Events and Marketing Manager, Glendale
Blackheath
“Blackheath has been my sanctuary over the last year. Being able to sit and peacefully watch the ducks or read on the grass has really helped my mental health and helped me relax after a stressful day.”
George Wakely, Civic Events Co-ordinator
Horniman Museum and Gardens
“I found a peaceful place at the Horniman Gardens and watched these beautiful tulips grow during my daily walks. They look like a painting to me. Nature is truly remarkable.”
Adila Rose, Culture and Diversity Officer