Selkie Collective helps women get connected on Skye

A women's community collective on Skye is on a mission to create supportive spaces for women, using nature and connection to improve mental health and wellbeing in their area.

 

The Selkie Collective was founded in October 2020 by Emma Bee and Amy Bentall with two aims; to help lessen the environmental impact on the planet, through an eco shop, and to provide safe, nurturing spaces for women to connect to themselves, each other and nature.

 

'We wanted to specifically create positive spaces for women in Skye and Lochalsh that allows individuals to feel more connected to their environment and the people around them,' said Emma.

 

'Creating a community for women provides a place to find support and encouragement and combats the isolation that has been felt in rural areas, particularly during the pandemic.

 

'There is a growing understanding of the benefits of green prescribing and using our environment as a resource to tackle health issues.'

 

The Selkie Collective has started two pilot programmes for women. With funding received from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, they are providing a Mother's Wellbeing Group. This provides a chance for mums to have childcare on site while they take part in yoga, pilates and mindfulness while creating a supportive space to meet other mothers.

 

'As mothers ourselves, we know how difficult it can be to get out the door in the morning with a little one, so we wanted to provide a place where mums can just turn up and find a restorative space,' explained Emma.

 

"attachment_656976" "" "225"] Forest therapy on the Women's Circle Journey.

 

The Selkie Collective is also running a pilot Women's Circle Journey, to help women find time and space for themselves to improve their wellbeing. It has been funded with help from Forestry Scotland's Community Fund and Inspiring Scotland Rural Communities Fund.

 

The ten women attending this circle over five weeks in local woodlands, are being guided in practices from meditation to forest therapy. Their experience and feedback will help inform future groups.

 

Hugh McNish, Scottish Forestry’s access, health and recreation advisor, welcomed the

 

group’s ambitions to grow its support for more women in the area.

 

He said: 'During the pandemic, the use of outdoor spaces and woodlands to help maintain our mental and physical health have never been so important.

 

'Getting outside and connecting with nature has fantastic restorative effects.'

 

Both groups are linking and providing paid work for multiple local practitioners, from yoga and pilates instructors, artists, sound healers, councillors and other groups.

 

Emma added: 'We will continue to create these much-needed spaces for women in Skye and Lochalsh and hope one day to have a permanent hub that could provide consistent support for women.'

 

Visit www.theselkiecollective.com for more information.

 

Photograph: Emma Bee and Amy Bentall in their eco shop in Broadford on Skye. NO_F08_SelkieCollective_EmmaAndAmy

 

NO_F08_SelkieCollective_WomenAndNature3: Forest therapy on the Women's Circle Journey.