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 Nature and Health groups in local woodlands since 2011, designed to directly benefit people with mental and physical health needs and to support carers.

The evidence

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 - after all we are part of nature!

Who we support

We run Woodland-based groups for people within a community of need. 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 for people who have experienced a cardiac event

- Woodland sessions for people with complex 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.

The impact