What is Nature Connect?
Nature Connect by Norfolk and Waveney Mind aims to help adults to build a relationship or develop a deeper contact with nature for improved resilience and overall better good mental health.
Starting with a pilot year in 2022 based in the locations of Kings Lynn, Mile Cross and Great Yarmouth. The project has developed, whilst working collaboratively with organisations and residents we have continually championed nature connection for the health and wellbeing of humans whilst recognising the impact that healing this relationship for us is the vital change we need to protect the environment we live in and all other beings we cohabit with.
Nature Connect includes the following projects:
- Nature connection activities (for example: growing, creative arts, ecotherapy and foraging)
- Mindful walking and forest-bathing
- Climate Cafes: an open, inclusive space where people can share their emotions
- Mindfulness and Active Hope course: our innovative, six-week programme based on the Active Hope model
Who is Nature Connect for?
People (over 18 years old) struggling with or at risk of low to moderate mental health conditions, people with long-term health conditions, those who are experiencing social isolation and loneliness. However, ultimately everyone is welcome. The sessions are always peer led, invitational and in a group so we ask that people joining agree to the group agreements at the start of the session so we can provide and accountable, welcoming space where people leave having benefitted from the session and are more connected.
How do I access Nature Connect?
We are a self-referral service, and we ask all participants to complete a brief booking form to join our sessions. This is so we can fully support everyone during and after the session if needed.
How can I find out more about Nature Connect?
Call us on 0300 330 5488 option 1 or email natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk where you will be responded to by a member of the team, both options someone will provide you with further information about this service and help you to complete the registration form.
Whether it’s you, someone in your family, a friend or a work colleague, we are here to support you and welcome any questions to make sure that you feel comfortable to join.
Upcoming Groups and Workshops
Forest Bathing
Forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku is the practice of spending time in the forest for better health, happiness and a sense of calm. A pillar of Japanese culture for decades, Shinrin-Yoku is a way to reconnect with nature, from walking mindfully in the woods, to a break in your local park, to walking barefoot on your lawn. Our team is trained to offers sessions monthly, an invitation to join a session that will encourage taking time to tune into our senses, slow down and take notice of the nature around us. Benefits can include improved mood and reduced stress - leave feeling more relaxed!
Life Gardening through the seasons
Life Gardening is a workshop developed to support people connect with nature to help us reflect and celebrate our own lives – looking at your life like a garden. A session to reflect each season, informed by eco-therapy principles and facilitated by Shona from Buzzards and Worms.
Winter themes and questions that may come up during the session:
- How can we keep connected to our own rhythm during the seasonal holidays that are coming our way?
- Can we make some space to reflect on our year and celebrate what we have achieved?
- How can we make space for rest this Winter?
- As the leaves get collected up for compost, what can we compost from our year?
- In what ways can we tend to ourselves with kindness and compassion this Winter?
- What keeps us rooted and connected through the dark months?
Artivism - Planting Seeds for Change
Join us for a fun workshop full of art, hope and kindness - to ourselves, our community and the natural world around us to reimagine the future. We will create miniature pieces of art for display to inspire others to bring about positive change. No need to be an artist, we are starting small and will be supported and led by Emma Skeet, Share Your Story Through Art Community Interest Company.
Cyanotype workshop
A camera-less, blue-tonal printing process that uses sunlight (UV light) to create white silhouettes on a blue background, we will provide natural items everyone can use to create their prints but welcome people to bring their own too.
Meeting a Wild Plant
Come along for a gentle, creative workshop exploring the beauty of a single wild plant.
We’ll start with a short, relaxed wander outdoors to find a plant that catches your eye. Back inside, we’ll spend time really getting to know it, looking closely through a magnifying lens, asking curious “I wonder…?” questions with a partner, and making simple drawings using fun, non-pressured techniques.
We’ll experiment with different materials, like tracing paper and photographic paper, to create a unique piece of art that celebrates your plant and your experience of slowing down and really noticing.
No art experience is needed — just curiosity and a willingness to explore. Supported and led by Holly Sandiford, Art at Work.
Walk and Talk
A walk for wellbeing, a gentle stroll with opportunities for conversation. A chance to connect with people in local green spaces, to share worries and concerns – to leave a little lighter.
Wednesdays each week
Burges Road Community Garden coordinated by Norfolk and Waveney Mind in collaboration with Edible East and Green Hearts. On the site of a former wasteland, meant to be a garden for a young family but handed over the Green Hearts, the garden has been designed to reflect the needs and desires of the community and the concept plan realized by a team of dedicated volunteers.
Meeting weekly on Wednesdays for the foreseeable future join to be upskilled in landscaping, garden design and gardening. Also, part of the network of community gardens and projects, follow the link to find a time to connect somewhere that is close to you: gettalking.norwich.gov.uk/communitygardens
Active Hope Course
Dates and location: Coming soon
In a time of deep ecological and societal change, how do we stay grounded, connected and take care of ourselves?
In this free 6-week course, we’ll draw on the radical concept of ‘Active Hope’ from The Work That Reconnects movement, along with evidence-based mindfulness and nature practices, in order to:
- Learn how we can transform fear, despair and anxiety to foster Active Hope.
- Cultivate greater appreciation, agency and self-care.
- Explore simple practices to help us reconnect with nature’s support as a living ally.
- Share our intergenerational perspectives for collective insight and resilience.
Nature Connection in Thorpe Hamlet
Thursday 13th November, 12.30pm - 2.00pm
Forest Bathing (a mindful stroll outside) at Mousehold
Forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku is the practice of spending time in the forest for better health, happiness and a sense of calm. A pillar of Japanese culture for decades, Shinrin-Yoku is a way to reconnect with nature, from walking mindfully in the woods, to a break in your local park, to walking barefoot on your lawn.
Tuesday 2nd December, 1.15pm - 3.15pm
Artivism - Planting Seeds for Change. Led by Emma Skeet, Share Your Story Through Art CIC at Plumstead Road Library
A fun workshop full of art, hope and kindness - to ourselves, our community and the natural world around us to reimagine the future. We will create miniature pieces of art for display to inspire others to bring about positive change. No need to be an artist.
To book a place,get in touch with Lucy at natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk or on 07719971911
Nature Connection in Lakenham
Tuesday 14th October, 4pm - 6pm
Wildflower Patch Creation with NWT at Milton Close
Friday 14th November, 1.15pm - 3pm
Meeting a Wild Plant, creative workshop Led by Holly Sandiford, Art at Work. At Old Lakenham Community Centre
A gentle, creative workshop exploring the beauty of a single wild plant. We’ll start with a short, relaxed wander outdoors to find a plant that catches your eye. We’ll experiment with different materials to create a unique piece of art that celebrates your plant and your experience of slowing down and really noticing. No art experience is needed — just curiosity and a willingness to explore
Tuesday 18th November, 12.30pm - 2pm
Walk and talk (gentle stroll with opportunities for conversation) from Tuckswood Library
A walk and talk for wellbeing, a gentle stroll with opportunities for conversation. A chance to connect with people in local green spaces, to share worries and concerns – to leave a little lighter.
Tuesday 16th December, 12.30pm - 2pm
Forest Bathing (a mindful stroll outside) at Netherwood Green
Forest Bathing or Shinrin-Yoku is the practice of spending time in the forest for better health, happiness and a sense of calm. A pillar of Japanese culture for decades, Shinrin-Yoku is a way to reconnect with nature, from walking mindfully in the woods, to a break in your local park, to walking barefoot on your lawn.
To book a place,get in touch with Lucy at natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk or on 07719971911
Nature Connection in Mile Cross
Thursday 27th November, 12.30pm - 2pm
Forest Bathing (a mindful stroll outside) at Mile Cross Marsh
Forest bathing or Shinrin-Yoku is the practice of spending time in the forest for better health, happiness and a sense of calm. A pillar of Japanese culture for decades, Shinrin-Yoku is a way to reconnect with nature, from walking mindfully in the woods, to a break in your local park, to walking barefoot on your lawn.
Friday 12th December, 1pm - 2.30pm
Life Gardening (a workshop to notice the seasons) facilitated by Shona from Buzzards and Worms at Mile Cross Library
A workshop developed to support people connect with nature to help us reflect and celebrate our own lives – looking at your life like a garden. A session to reflect each season, informed by eco-therapy principles.
To book a place,get in touch with Lucy at natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk or on 07719971911