Ecotherapy at St Nicks
Ecotherapy is the name given to a wide range of programmes that aim to promote good mental and physical wellbeing through outdoor activity in a natural environment. At St Nicks, ecotherapy is offered through various group activities and is underpinned by one to one mentor support – you can read more on how it works here. We currently offer activities every day of the work week, which are listed below and are all fully funded. Should you like to make a donation to the charity, it is always appreciated.
Please note that as of July 2018 we are at full capacity and there is a waiting list for new participants. Please get in touch using contact details below for more information.
MONDAYS
- Bearing Fruit – Mondays 1pm-3pm, year round at St Nicks
Pruning fruit trees in winter with Bearing Fruit
Be a part of our community orchard at St Nicks Nature Reserve; managing existing wildlife habitats and creating new ones. Help us look after our established fruit trees, soft fruit sites and newly planted Yorkshire heritage apple trees. Learn conservation skills such as scything, pruning and hedge laying from our experienced tutors. This group is a follow-up for a 2010-2012 project of the same name.
TUESDAYS
- Discover Nature – Tuesdays 10am-12pm at St Nicks
Join a safe and nurturing environment in which you can learn more about the natural world. Sessions are run by a qualified tutor and are seasonally themed as each week focuses on a different species or habitat with the opportunity to participate in wildlife-based activities, animal surveys and field trips planned around the migration of birds and animals throughout the year. We also arrange talks from local experts! There is always something new to learn with our Discover Nature group. -
Nordic Walking in Hull Road Park
Nordic Walking – Tuesdays 2-3pm, year round from St Nicks
Come and experience the freedom of Nordic Walking! Evidence confirms that connecting to nature with green exercise improves both self-esteem and mood, as well as emotional and physical resilience. All sessions are coached by a qualified Nordic Walking UK (NWUK) instructor. Nordic Walking maximises a walking workout by using up to 90% of the skeletal muscles, and is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Classes are free with own poles or £2 for pole hire.Before joining these regular sessions, beginner participants are asked to attend a four week block of skills sessions at 1-2pm. By the end of the block, for a nominal fee of £5, you can choose to get a NWUK Freedom Passport. This provides access to all other Nordic Walking groups across the city. Classes and pole hire for these sessions are free.
WEDNESDAYS
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Writing poetry inspired by nature after a walk out on the nature reserve
Connect to Nature with Creative Writing – Wednesdays 10am-12pm, year round at St Nicks
The nature based Creative Writing group is run in partnership with York St John University, Converge and the Discovery Hub and is led by a qualified tutor. Each session starts with a short walk around the nature reserve followed by an introduction of a theme for the mornings writing. The sessions are an exciting way to develop writing styles and skills while making new discoveries about nature through observations of the reserve and the changing seasons.
THURSDAYS
- Eco Book Club – Thursdays 10am-12pm, November-March at St Nicks
St Nicks Eco Book Club is a friendly social session for those interested in books and literature with a link to the natural world. There is no pressure to read the book independently, the experienced tutor will pick abridged chapters for the group to enjoy as a shared reading experience each week. This will be followed by a walk around the reserve and discussion of the chosen chapter of the week. Refreshments will be served following each week guided walk with the opportunity to explore themes in more detail over tea and coffee. Each session will end with a nature inspired poem or thought for the day. -
Insect home made by the woodwork group
Woodworking – Thursdays 10am-12pm, April-November at St Nicks
Led by a qualified tutor, sessions focus on developing woodworking skills through making items such as bird boxes, bat boxes, hedgehog homes and benches that can be used around the St Nicks nature reserve. There will also be opportunity to develop finer carpentry skills, learning how to make stools, spoons or more decorative items according to participants interests. No previous experience is necessary and all tools and materials will be provided. - Get Gardening – Thursdays 1:30-3pm, April-November at St Nicks
The Gardening group is run in partnership with York St John University, Converge and the Discovery Hub and is led by a qualified tutor. People of all abilities are welcome. Learn how to garden creatively in different settings using a variety of means including the use of a polytunnel, container planting and making the most of smaller spaces. Growing activities include introducing natural pest control, feeding, plant care, re-potting, vegetable growing, herb gardening and seed collecting.
FRIDAYS
- Plot to Plate – Fridays 2-4pm, year round (earlier finish in winter) at the Holgate Allotment Site
Help to manage our allotment and learn the principles of organic gardening and the benefits of eating seasonally. The site has raised beds, fruit tress, a variety of vegetables and a wildflower area that runs alongside a beck. This group is partially peer led.
Interested? Want to know more?
Please see this page for more details on how Ecotherapy works at St Nicks, watch the video below to see it in practice and/or contact Kathy Sturgess on 01904 411821 or email ecotherapy@stnicks.org.uk
The project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund, with additional funding from Purey Cust Trust CIO and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Your Consortium.
