BBC Soundscapes for Wellbeing is a newly launched collaboration between the BBC and the University of Exeter aiming to bring the sounds of Nature to the nation

The broad aim of BBC Soundscapes for Wellbeing is to connect audiences with nature through creative programming on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Sounds and BBC Two’s Winterwatch, as well as through new access to the BBC Sound Effects archive. The BBC is also inviting audiences to take part in a major UK-wide nature experiment which seeks to unearth the potential of virtual nature experiences to boost our wellbeing.

Launched on Monday 25 January 2021:

The Virtual Nature Experiment, commissioned with the University of Exeter involves award-winning sound-recordist Chris Watson and composer Nainita Desai, and explores people’s responses to digital nature content

BBC Sound Effects digital archive relaunches as an interactive platform, featuring over 33,000 sounds, with 17,000 new nature sounds, and a new Mixer Tool feature – allowing users to now download sounds, and create, mix and share their own soundscapes for free

Special music and nature themed programming across BBC networks and programmes from January 25 and throughout February – BBC Radio 3 Breakfast with Petroc Trelawny and a Slow Radio edition with Gillian Burke, BBC Sounds with a specially curated Mindful Mix with 3D nature sounds by Mary Anne Hobbs, 6 Music with Lauren Laverne, Shaun Keaveny and Radcliffe and Maconie and BBC Two’s Winterwatch

There’s a dedicated area for the project here and it acts as a jumping off point. It also includes a feature from Radio 1’s Sian Eleri, host of the Chillest Show, showing how she made a tranquil tropical soundscape using the BBC Sound Effects Archive mixer tool. It’s a great accompaniment to other mindfulness projects also launched this year (eg Channel 4’s Rap Therapy and Netflix’s Headspace guide). We applaud the efforts being made, and will be diving deeper into the BBC’s project ourselves.