Nurtured by Nature: Compassion, Connection & Creativity in a woodland setting

Nurtured by Nature:

Discovering Peace and Connection in Nature

Nurtured by Nature is a transformative wellbeing programme set in the heart of the woodland, designed to support individuals in reconnecting with themselves and the natural world. Through immersive outdoor activities such as green woodwork, crafting, forest bathing, yoga and mindfulness around the fire, participants experience a space of calm, community, and self-discovery. This programme completed in 2024.

Nurtured by Nature video by Paul Berry

inspiring stories of growth

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Case studies:

S and S’s Journey

S accompanied her husband, S, to our Beginners Angling Sessions at Eden’s Forest. Living with dementia, S found joy in rediscovering an old skill, while S cherished the peaceful moments they shared. Encouraged by this experience, she joined our daytime Nurtured by Nature cohort and found the sessions “relaxing and calming,” benefiting from both the companionship and connection with nature. A photo S took during a forest bathing session has since been featured in an exhibition by Creative Minds, a testament to the inspiration she found in our programme.

L’s Story
Feeling lost after leaving her job due to stress, L found a renewed sense of purpose in Nurtured by Nature. She arrived feeling drained and isolated but quickly found solace in the supportive group and natural surroundings. Learning new skills, spending time outdoors, and forming connections helped her rebuild her confidence. Now, she actively seeks out crafting sessions and encourages her children to spend more time outdoors, creating a ripple effect of wellbeing within her family.

K’s Transformation
K first engaged with us through a different programme while struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. During her time with Nurtured by Nature, she not only gained emotional resilience but also secured a job in education and is about to start teacher training. She describes her time with us as “magical,” a place where she felt safe, valued, and capable of new possibilities.

REal Voices, Real Change

With over 60 participants engaging in Nurtured by Nature in 2024, the impact of the programme is clear. Participants shared how the experience profoundly shaped their wellbeing:

“Each week became something I looked forward to. The fire, the forest, the space, it all helped me carve out a regular time for myself.”
“Being outdoors with others, in a relaxed and accepting space, gave me the confidence to seek out more social groups and new experiences.”
“Honestly, when things get stressful in daily life, I think of the forest, the fire, and the group. It’s my happy place.”

Creating Long-Term Wellbeing

Nurtured by Nature isn’t just a short-term programme - it inspires lasting lifestyle changes. Over 80% of participants reported continuing outdoor activities, crafting, and social engagement long after their sessions ended. Some have joined volunteer roles, further embedding the benefits of nature and community into their lives.

We measured our impact using the Warwick – Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales (WEMWBS), participant feedback, and social impact evaluations developed in collaboration with student occupational therapists. The data consistently highlights significant improvements in mental wellbeing, confidence, and social connection, with 92% of participants reporting a positive change in their overall wellbeing.

Thank You

We want to express our thanks to everyone who took part in our Nurtured by Nature, we loved welcoming you to Eden’s Forest and seeing the connections and transformations that took place. A huge thank you also to our funders, Community Plus, whose generous support made this programme possible. Our participant video above, by one of our brilliant volunteers Paul Berry, captures the voices and experiences of those who took part, highlighting the impact this programme has had.

Looking to the Future

The success of Nurtured by Nature demonstrates the incredible impact of nature-based wellbeing support. This programme has also served as a valuable pilot for social prescribing, showing how structured nature-based sessions can provide meaningful mental health support. We will take what we have learned and apply it to future projects, strengthening our offer to those in need.

With the right funding, we could extend our reach even further, offering this life-changing programme to more individuals across our surrounding communities. The need is clear, and we are ready to meet it.

We warmly invite funders and supporters to consider investing in this work. By backing Nurtured by Nature, you help us create more opportunities for people to reconnect with nature, build resilience, and improve their overall wellbeing. If you are interested in supporting future programmes, we would love to hear from you.