A COMMUNITY group is celebrating a decade of helping people and nature in Leamington.
Achieving Results in Communities (ARC) was founded in 2011 by Rick Smith and Kristie Naimo to promote environmental sustainability while helping to improve mental health and wellbeing.
The group is best known for the Foundry Wood community woodland, which is reclaimed from derelict land on the site of the old Ford foundry and is now a flourishing nature reserve where children’s activities, outdoor performances and ‘ecotherapy’ sessions are held.
Other projects have included transforming the New Street burial ground and creating Packington Place pocket park in South Leamington.
The group has also brought a number of community gardens across Leamington and Warwick back to life and runs woodland wellbeing sessions near Radford Semele.
Kristie said: “We’re a small organisation, but in the last ten years we have achieved a huge amount and delivered much needed support within the district.
“Connecting people with nature is more important than ever, especially during the Covid pandemic. ARC’s success lies in its community roots – we are blessed with a fantastic team of volunteers who help support our work and we are always looking for people to join us, especially our board of directors.”
The group has continued offering support during lockdown by providing sessions online, and some users say it has helped their mental health.
And to celebrate a decade of supporting residents the team will continue helping through nature.
Kristie added: “It’s a shame that due to the current restrictions, we can’t held a celebration to mark our tenth anniversary in style.
“But we will continue to work supporting local communities during lockdown – and hopefully for many more years to come.”
Visit www.arccic.co.uk/wellbeing for more information.
