What is Nature Connect?
Nature Connect project runs regular group activities in Mile Cross to help adults to develop a deeper contact with nature for improved resilience and overall better good mental health.
The project will include the following elements:
- Resilience workshop
- Sowing and Growing groups
- Mindful Walking and Forest Bathing
- Nature Connect workshops and groups
Who is Nature Connect for?
People (over 18 years old) struggling with or at risk of low to moderate mental health conditions. This may also be as a consequence of COVID.
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 courses.
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 met by a Recovery Triage Operator who will provide you with further information about this service.
Whether it’s you, someone in your family, a friend or a work colleague, we are here to support you.
Upcoming Groups and Workshops
Monthly Forest Bathing Sessions Starting from Sloughbottom Park Pavilion
We’ll take a gentle circular mindful stroll lasting an hour incorporating elements of the Japanese practice of shinrin – yoku or ‘forest bathing’. On this guided walk, we’ll offer a series of invitations and calming mindful practices to help us become more aware of, and connect with, the nature around us and discover how much we are part of it. We’ll finish with tea and a chance to reflect together on how the forest bathing experience was for us.
Upcoming dates:
•
10th December, 12.30pm-1.30pm
To book a place,get in touch with Lucy at natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk or on 07719971911
Forest Bathing inspired walks throughout Norwich
Nature Connect hosts monthly walks from Sloughbottom Park and in addition will be offering sessions in Lakenham, Thorpe, Catton and Earlham from July to Oct 2024.
October's session will be on Wednesday 23rd October from 4-6pm in Earlham Park.
Life Gardening – looking at our lives like a garden, guided by seasonal themes.
Join Norfolk and Waveney Mind for Life Gardening in each season at The Mile Cross Library with Shona creator of Buzzards and Worms.
Winter: Friday 6th December from 11.30am – 1pm
Workshops to connect with nature as a way to help us reflect on, celebrate and make changes in our own lives – looking at your life like a garden.
As the season changes and we turn towards Autumn, we will explore...
- What changes would we like to bring into our life?
- What can we gather up and harvest from our year so far?
- What are we grateful for?
- How can we turn more towards our hearts and what we want for ourselves?
- As the leaves begin to fall, are there things I would also like to let go of?
We will explore themes relevant to the season together in a friendly and informal group.
Booking is essential.
To book a place,get in touch with Lucy at natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk or on 07719971911
Forest Bathing Peer Facilitator Group
Coming soon - dates TBC
Be part of a group exploring the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku (also known as Forest Bathing) and how to lead our own simple sessions with friends or family. At each group, we’ll learn skills that bring us back to nature and create space in our busy lives, and we’ll consider how to practice this with others.
Contact natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk for more information and to book.
Training Opportunities
Walk Leader Training
Would you like a new training opportunity to become a walk leader within your workplace or community?
We will support you to complete a walk leader training workshop, and through fortnightly practice walks, we will enable you to:
Identify routes, practice leading skills, advertise your group successfully and undertake all the good practice needed to ensure your group is safe and welcoming. You are best place to understand the needs of the people you support and your community.
We will be drawing from the Active Norfolk guidance and materials, be joined by an experienced walk leader for a session and get out on a few walks to answer any questions you may have.
We are looking to recruit a group of people to take part fortnightly on Thursdays from 2.30pm – 4pm starting in September - October 2024, the training will take part over 4 sessions.
The aims are to improve your fitness, increase your sense of wellbeing, boost your connection with nature and lead a group to support others to do the same.
Contact natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk for more information.
Three Roots/Routes to Emotional Resilience