On the right path

Putting the 5 Pathways to Nature Connectedness into practice can be truly transformational. The Somerset Nature Connection Project - funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, in partnership Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills and Blackdown Hills AONBs (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)started in 2020, running 6–18-week courses for people experiencing mental health challenges. People from across Somerset can self-refer or are referred by health and wellbeing partners to attend courses on the Quantock, Blackdown or Mendip Hill Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Each week, participants attend for half a day, and are invited to engage in nature connection and wellbeing activities including natural/heritage crafts, sit spots conservation tasks, wildlife walks, and connecting with senses. Courses are adapted to meet the needs of each group and the 5 Pathways to Nature Connectedness are explored together. Since 2020 the project has worked directly with over 170 participants with some providing feedback on the impact connecting with nature has had on their health and wellbeing. Here one participant tells their story:

Being a participant for 18 weeks afforded a safe space to just be, allowing us all a space to feel whatever we were feeling in the moment, without any judgment on ourselves. A lot of the teachings within the nature connections project encourages very much being present in the moment, and doing this in such a beautiful, wild and natural landscape really enhances the ability to do this. I must admit at the beginning this was hard to translate over into everyday life, especially when my mental health difficulties where peaking, but over a relatively short period I began to notice a lot of the skills being shown to us in the group were becoming almost automatic. I was noticing details of nature EVERYWHERE, which in turn helped me tune in to being much more present in the moment.

Finding Peace In Nature

The 5 Pathways of Nature Connectedness are explored in turn each week, with a celebration of the course on week six. Practical skills such as bird box making, wool dyeing, weaving and nature ID are incorporated into the sessions. These sessions have taught me so much, not only have I learnt a lot from these practical activities, but the actual process of doing these tasks provided a great sense of calm and mindfulness in themselves. The wellness exercises exploring the pathways, such as mindful walks, find meaning in nature, and finding connections with our emotions within nature, were made even more meaningful whilst immersed in nature, and formed a strong sense of community within the group. The project has helped me engage with nature in more ways than I thought possible, and ignited a passion for all aspects of nature further. It has also provided me with a safe place, and helped show me that being with like-minded people who are willing to explore their emotions and difficulties in an open and positive way, is worth every bit of effort put into it. It very much feels like a community, where everyone is held, not only by the group, but by nature and our surroundings. It has provided me with many coping strategies for my mental health, all with deep connections to nature.