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. We currently offer activities every day of the work week, which are listed below and are all fully funded, donations welcome.
MONDAYS
- Green Exercise: Beginners’ Cycling – Mondays 10-12noon from St Nicks – current course ends 25th June 2018
Led by a qualified instructor, set off from the Environment Centre and explore the various cycle paths in and around York. Bring your own bicycle and helmet, or borrow them from us free of charge! This activity is suitable for all who are interested in cycling but may not have ridden a bike for some time or want to gain confidence. Our Green Exercise programme is part of a city-wide bespoke range of activities, which is co-ordinated by York Mind and funded by City of York Council. It is free and open to all York residents aged 18+ who feel they would benefit from improving their wellbeing. - Bearing Fruit – Mondays 1pm-3pm at St Nicks
Be part of the development of a community orchard at St Nicks Nature Reserve. 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 creating wildlife habitats. 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 seasonally themed and each one provides the opportunity to participate in wildlife-based activities, including nature walks, animal surveys, and art work creation. -
Nordic walking at St Nicks (by L Outing)
Green Exercise: Nordic Walking – Tuesdays 1-2pm (Technique and skills) and 2-3pm (Nordic Walking) from St Nicks
Led by a qualified instructor, set off from the Environment Centre and explore both the reserve and Hull Road Park. Instruction will given and Nordic Walking poles are provided. Nordic Walking is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Not sure what it is and why it’s good for you? Check out one of the event listings for more details. Our Green Exercise programme is part of a city-wide bespoke range of activities, which is co-ordinated by York Mind and funded by City of York Council. It is free and open to all York residents aged 18+ who feel they would benefit from improving their wellbeing. Please book ahead to complete your Nordic Walking training induction.
WEDNESDAYS
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Cycle ride to Dunnington, Dec 2017
Connect to Nature with Creative Writing – Wednesdays 10am-12pm at St Nicks
The Creative Writing course is run in partnership with York St John University, Converge and the Discovery Hub and take place at St Nicks. Creative writing is used to explore themes in nature and to make new discoveries through observation of the reserve and the changing seasons. Each course starts with a short walk around the reserve followed by an introduction of a theme for the mornings writing. The courses are an exciting way to develop writing styles and skills whilst gaining the benefits of interacting in a green space. Participants are encouraged to keep their own nature journals as part of the course.
- Green Exercise: Advanced Cycling – Wednesdays 1-3pm at St Nicks – current course end 27th June 2018
Led by qualified instructors, set off from the Environment Centre to discover green routes around York and further afield. A step up from the beginners cycling group, this group is suitable for those wanting to cover longer distances, work on increasing speed and gain confidence cycling on the roads. Bring your own bicycle and helmet, or borrow them from us free of charge! Our Green Exercise programme is part of a city-wide bespoke range of activities, which is co-ordinated by York Mind and funded by City of York Council. It is free and open to all York residents aged 18+ who feel they would benefit from improving their wellbeing.
THURSDAYS
- Woodworking – Thursdays 10am-12pm at St Nicks
Led by an experienced tutor, sessions will focus on developing woodworking skills by making items such as bird boxes, bat boxes, benches and nursery beds that can be used out on the nature reserve. There will also be the opportunity to develop finer carpentry skills, learning how to make stools, spoons or other more decorative items according to participants interests. No previous experience is necessary and all tools and materials will be provided. This activity is part of a city-wide bespoke range of activities, which is co-ordinated by York Mind and funded by City of York Council. It is free and open to all York residents aged 18+ who feel they would benefit from improving their wellbeing. - Get Gardening – Thursdays 1:30-3pm at St Nicks
The Gardening group is run in partnership with York St John University, Converge and the Discovery Hub. 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 will include introducing natural pest control, feeding, plant care, seed collecting and innovative irrigation and will all take place within the gardening space at St Nicks Environment Centre.
FRIDAYS
- Plot to Plate – Fridays 2-4pm 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 trees, a variety of vegetables and a wildflower area. Programme runs at the Holgate Allotment Site and takes place all year around.
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, download the latest update (Autumn 2017) 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. The Green Exercise programme is funded by City of York Council.
