The Nature Connectors
Craven
Hambleton
Harrogate
Middlesbrough
Redcar and Cleveland
Richmondshire
Ryedale
Scarborough
Selby
York
We aim to bring greater nature connection and wellbeing to healthcare staff and communities in North Yorkshire. We are offering forest school for adults and ‘mindfulness in nature’ sessions, while teaching the wellbeing benefits of being outdoors.
There is now a vast quantity of high-quality research showing that connecting people to nature:
Improves mental wellbeing, vitality and happiness.
Provides greater meaning, satisfaction and purpose in life.
Fosters more pro-environmental and conservation behaviours.
Improves overall health through e.g. stress reduction, improved sleep and increased exercise.
Our twelve-week courses draws on these evidence-based studies, while using the Five Ways to Wellbeing as a framework.
Combined, this helps make people healthier and happier, leading more positive lives with less reliance on NHS services.
Running until February 2025, the new programme includes:
Seven ‘wellbeing in the outdoors’ ‘drop-in’ sessions for healthcare staff
Three twelve-week nature connection courses for patients referred from healthcare staff
Nineteen community ‘drop-in’ sessions (open to all)
Further support for nature connection course participants through signposting information and community 'drop ins'
A 'light-touch' nature wellbeing toolkit centred around accessing local green spaces in the Howardian Hills
Sessions are based at the stunning Ampleforth Abbey Orchards in North Yorkshire.