Melisa Beckett from Pavers Chester has donated £500 to RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands through the employee-led, charitable giving organisation the Pavers Foundation.
RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, sits on the boarder of England and Wales and is a mixed habitat of ancient woodlands, grasslands and lagoons, offering the space for visitors to immerse themselves in a beautiful and natural environment. The donation from the Pavers Foundation will be used to install a bench on the site that will enable visitors to sit and relax, with the intention of connecting with the natural surroundings.
Megan Becket of RSPB Burton Mere notes how important it is for local communities to have access to green and natural spaces and how this connection to the outdoors can aid with mental health struggles. She said, “Allowing oneself to switch off to everything except the beauty of nature is a great way to clear your mind from all the daily clutter that builds up and causes us stress and negativity”, ultimately stating that “being out in nature literally gives us the chance to breathe and regain focus”.
Melisa is a long-term visitor of Burton Mere Wetlands, having spent many hours there during periods of difficult mental health. Speaking of Burton Mere Wetlands and the benefits she has found from being out in nature Melisa said, “My time out in nature has been invaluable to me, visiting the wetlands has been a big part of helping me gain a sense of perspective, and giving me calm when I have needed it”.
Spending time at Burton Mere has grown Melisa’s love and passion for protecting wildlife while also adding how the understanding staff and volunteers on the site helped to keep her spirits up. Mellissa hopes the bench will help others find the sense of inner peace and calm that she also finds at Burton Mere Wetlands.