At Forest of Avon our mission is simple: to make sure everyone can easily access and enjoy the benefits of trees and woodlands in their community forest. That’s why we’ve been running health and wellbeing groups in local woodlands since 2011, designed to directly benefit people with mental and physical health needs and to support carers.

There’s strong evidence that nature-connection significantly reduces anxiety and improves mood. But our programme also provides opportunities for social connection, peer support, learning new skills, creative expression and importantly, having fun! As well as nature supporting human health, research shows that having a strong sense of nature-connection encourages pro-environmental behaviour too. After all we are all part of nature too.

Our experienced team of Nature and Health Practitioners and volunteers bring these programmes to life, using the NHS's Five Ways to Wellbeing: Be Active, Notice, Connect, Keep Learning, and Give Back.

We run groups for people within a community of experience. Our main projects include:

- Woodland Wellbeing for people affected by dementia, including family carers

- Forest Friday for people with complex and enduring mental health needs

- Woodland wellbeing groups for people who have experienced a cardiac event

- Woodland Wellbeing for people with learning disabilities who need support to get out and about

Our projects are commissioned by health and social care services but also rely on grants and donations. With your help we can ensure that our programme continues to support people to connect with nature and each other into the future.

"It makes me feel more energised as it boosts my mental health. It helps me relax as there's other people around, it feels like a break." [family carer ]

"I find the group gives me a sense of purpose, I feel welcomed and the shared knowledge gives me hope." [Forest Friday participant]

"The sessions have been amazing and helped me to relax and unwind from my recent heart attack". [cardiac event group participant]