For Nadeem Perera – RSPB Ambassador and co-founder of Flock Together – nature is a powerful force for change
It’s no secret that nature and the outdoors are fast becoming fundamental parts of people’s lives. For many in the UK, being able to breathe air without exhaust fumes and to hear birdsong without it being on an instrumental tape have long served as a source of wholesomeness and, ultimately, a happier life. But for a few of us, the space is very new, though, just as beneficial but probably lots more fun!
At 15, I didn’t vibe with how education operated in this country and so took to the forests to find my own answers. Now, 15 years later, I can see that this was one of the best decisions I ever made, but back then it didn’t instantly feel like that. I was in the forest simply because there were few options left whilst all my friends were in school. But right away I noticed how quiet the green spaces always were. That silence, for me, was the golden platform for good thinking. Life can otherwise be so noisy that you find yourself without a place to be heard, which can eventually lead you to become without reason to properly think.
I noticed how quiet the green spaces always were. That silence is the golden platform for good thinking
The more I came back from that silence, the more I noticed that I had been wrong. Everything that lived in that silence wasn’t silent at all. The birds would sing, the grass would shuffle in the wind and my feet would kick the dirt, but every noise had its place – every voice could be heard: including my own thoughts. Mother Nature was playing a backing soundtrack to my inner monologue which was trying to write the script for my life.
Natural remedy
It wasn’t until I met fellow bird enthusiast Ollie Olanipekun though that I realised that I had had my blinkers on. Yes, I had benefited from nature and could see tangible improvements in my life, but I had failed to see that this incredible space could benefit a whole community!
Ollie’s vision to create a birdwatching collective (now Flock Together) had proven, very quickly, to be a great one, and our community programming has brought about so many positive changes in the nearly four years since – from traditional organisations realising their lack of creative input to outdoor clothing brands reaching new audiences and new faces on natural history TV.
Beyond the birds
Flock is about connections as much as it is birdwatching, probably more so for many. Connections are at the root of a healthy lifestyle. Sharing stories, embracing and applause are powerful components which are rife on every walk of ours. These things validate the existence of each individual, particularly if they have experienced being invalidated elsewhere.
Flock Together members soon found themselves in awe at what they had been missing out on and just how much they had been withstanding without the healing powers of nature. One of our regulars, Derek, describes Flock as being like “a hug on a cold day. The warmth of the group radiates and is akin to extended family. Being in nature gives me a sense of freedom and liberation. A place where authenticity thrives and a chance to escape from life’s challenges.”
From mine and Ollie’s perspective, Flock serves as much more than an escape. At least now it does. At its conception, Flock represented new people finding their feet in nature, challenging perceptions on what nature is and who it belongs to, but what it has become is a creative force to be reckoned with.
Past this validation, however, lies an even greater treasure: the chance to create. Flock provides clear-cut and tangible opportunities into creative industries, particularly for the younger generations. These voices have long been shut out of industries related to outdoor spaces, but at Flock they are heard loud and clear without apology.
There are so many different types of outdoor-focused groups, whether that’s Flock Together or RSPB local groups, so be sure to get out with others to experience the benefits of nature. And remember, if there isn’t a group out there that suits you, you can always make your own!
Listen to this feature here:
Join a local group
Across the UK, there are over 140 RSPB adult and youth groups. These volunteer-led groups are a chance to meet with like-minded people to enjoy nature. You can share knowledge at coffee mornings, actively support the RSPB’s campaigns and get involved in hands-on habitat creation and restoration. These groups are a great opportunity to make a difference.
