Your community stories
Forests are places to seek adventure, make memories and find escape. They are dynamic environments which invite us to explore, play and unwind. Read on to find out how people are finding connection and wellbeing in the forest.
Mental health recovery in nature
Discover how a community project in Bristol is taking to the woods in a bid to improve the wellbeing of those taking part. Using the Japanese practice of Shirin-Yoku, the project connects people to nature with positive results.
ANDYSMANCLUB and Forestry England
ANDYSMANCLUB is a charity tackling the stigma around male mental health and suicide. Discover how they've been sharing the benefits of spending time in the forest with their supporters.
Virtual reality forests
Discover how we're working with Dorothy House Hospice Care to bring the wellbeing benefits of the forest to cancer patients unable to visit for themselves.
Health professionals network day
Spending time in the forest is known to improve our health and wellbeing. Find out what happened when a group of trainee health professionals came for a forest visit to try out for themselves some of the things we know make a difference.
Singing in the forest
The Woodland Warblers outdoor choir at Chopwell Wood found that singing in the forest bought them connection and improved health and wellbeing.
The power of walking
Joining in with walking sessions at Thames Chase helped Lorraine to improve her health and wellbeing during a challenging time in her life.
The power of trees
Westonbirt Arboretum’s community programme helps people with mental health conditions, addictions, behavioural difficulties, autism and dementia through the power of trees.
The forest effect
Discovering the benefits of spending time in nature really helped increase wellbeing and improve confidence for one participant of Chopwell Wood's Feel Good in the Forest programme after the Covid-19 pandemic had a big impact.
