Ecotherapy at St Nicks
In the interest of everybody’s safety, we have taken the very difficult decision to stop all face-to-face interactions during lockdown. For Ecotherapy, this includes all of the onsite groups and one to one mentoring sessions at the nature reserve commencing Thursday 5th November. This will last for the duration of the lockdown which is currently set at four weeks. Please check back for further updates or stay up to date by signing up for our newsletter.
Online support is still available to anyone and offers regular nature-themed emails with creative and practical tips about connecting with nature, including videos, blogs and photographs. Check-in phone calls for a wellbeing chat and nature inspiration are still available for existing participants. To sign up for emails or to join the waiting list for one of the in person groups complete an enrolment form and return to Ecotherapy Project Manager Kathy Sturgess at ecotherapy@stnicks.org.uk.
Kathy also runs the Mentoring Programme for Ecotherapy participants. If you would like to find out more or arrange an informal chat before enrolling on any of the groups, contact Kathy at ecotherapy@stnicks.org.uk.
Ecotherapy online
- Bearing Fruit – Receive a regular email about all things nature from tutor Freya Lovett.
- Discover Nature – Tutor Phil Taylor invites you to explore nature and wildlife in a regular video.
- Nordic Walking – Receive regular mindfulness and green exercise tips from tutor Michelle Cairns.
- Letters from the Allotment – Connect to nature through words with our Creative Writing tutor Emma McKenzie. This group is a partnership with Converge.
- Eco-book Club – Receive a regular email from tutor William Davidson sharing poetry and literature.
- Wellbeing Wednesday – Receive nature-inspired wellbeing tips and other inspiration from Ecotherapy Assistant Hannah Kenter.
Ecotherapy promotes good mental and physical wellbeing through outdoor activity in a natural environment. At St Nicks Ecotherapy is offered through a wonderful variety of group activities which are underpinned by one-to one mentoring support. Year round groups are Bearing Fruit, Discover Nature, Nordic Walking, Creative Writing/ Nature Drawing, Eco Book Club and Plot to Plate. Over the spring and summer months we also offer Get Gardening and Woodworking. Scheduled for July 2021 we have Willow Weaving, Bushcraft and Grow your Home (make a window box).
Read on to find out about the benefits of Ecotherapy, how it works at St Nicks, and how to get involved.
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Benefits of Ecotherapy
Since 2015, 93% of our Ecotherapy participants experience significant improvements in their overall mental and physical wellbeing. They also report:
- Reduction in stress levels
- Reduction in depression and anxiety
- Improved self-esteem
- Increased levels of physical activity
- Better resilience
- Enhanced social interaction
- Confidence boosted through the learning of new skills
- Feelings of happiness by positively contributing towards the environment
How it works at St Nicks
- Group activities are led by qualified and experienced tutors.
- All participants have access to one-to-one mentor support alongside group activities.
- Nature-centred activities run both on and off site, and are free to attend.
- We offer year-round and season-specific activities.
- Sessions are timetabled around the lunch hour which can be enjoyed with others in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Participants can be part of the project for a few years and afterwards choose to stay involved with St Nicks longer through our volunteer programme.
- To join, find out more or support the project, speak to Ecotherapy staff.
- Please note, there are waiting lists for some of the groups.
Interested? Want to know more?
- Details about all of our Ecotherapy groups can be found here.
- Watch the video below to see us in action.
- Make the first step and download an Enrolment Form, once completed email it to ecotherapy@stnicks.org.uk or post it to us at St Nicks Environment Centre, Rawdon Ave, York, YO10 3FW.
- For further information contact Ecotherapy Project Manager Kathy Sturgess on 01904 411821 or email ecotherapy@stnicks.org.uk.
The project is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, with additional funding from Purey Cust Trust CIO and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Your Consortium.
