Woodland Wellbeing is series of Forest School programmes for home educating families to support mental health and wellbeing; through supportive community, skills development and nature connection.
Boost Your Mental Health and Wellbeing with Our Free Forest School and Nature Connection Programmes.
Join us for a unique series of Forest School programmes, designed to enhance mental health and wellbeing through a supportive community, skill-building activities, and meaningful nature connection. Whether you’re looking for a long-term commitment or a one-off nature escape, we have programmes for every family!
Forest School - We are pleased to offer funded places for families who might not otherwise be able to participate in our long-term Forest School programmes. Experience the joy of learning together in nature, building essential skills, and connecting with others in a nurturing outdoor environment.
Woodland Wellbeing - Our free drop-in sessions are perfect for families looking to spend quality time in nature. Take a break from daily life to improve your mental health and wellbeing with activities like wildcrafting, foraging, campfire cooking, and free play. Whether you’re building a shelter or just enjoying the peace of the woods, you’ll leave feeling refreshed and connected.
Inclusive Forest School - This free long-term programme is specifically designed for families with autistic children. With small groups limited to six children and their parent or primary caregiver, we offer a safe and supportive space to experience the wonders of Forest School. Grow together, discover nature, and find community with other families who share your journey.
Family Wellbeing Days - Take part in our Family Wellbeing Days for a chance to unwind and reconnect as a family in a natural setting. These special one-day events are filled with nature-based activities designed to reduce stress, improve mental wellbeing, and build stronger family bonds. From outdoor games to creative crafts and relaxing by the campfire, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
These programmes are inclusive and open to home educators and families whose children do not attend school.
We’re here to help you and your family thrive through nature connection and community support.
This is good for wellbeing because
- When we feel very close to nature, we recognise ourselves as part of the natural world, and value our relationship with it. The benefits of nature connection include; improved mental wellbeing, more pro-environmental behaviours, greater vitality and happiness, feeling more satisfied with life and greater meaning and purpose in life. Having a strong sense of connection to nature really helps people feel good and function well.
- Being out in nature is good for us. But what we do in nature matters more than how long we spend in it. Research shows that noticing nature is more important than simply spending time in green places. People who watch wildlife, listen to birdsong, or take photos of nature feel closer to nature
than those who don’t do these things.
- Forest school develops connection with both nature and the community of people attending sessions. This approach develops resilience, compassion to self and others, positive mental outlook and a greater sense of wellbeing for participants. Activities encompass the 5 pathways to nature connection; senses, beauty, emotion, meaning and compassion. Sessions follow a strengths based approach with time to talk, listening ears, cooking together, mindfulness and reflective practice. Sessions include physical activities such as tool work, crafts, nature walks, foraging and games.
- Parents and children attend the sessions together, promoting a whole-family approach to positive mental health and wellbeing. At each session children are engaged in a range of activities to provide adults time to talk and build community with other parents. Parents are invited to take part in group activities including developing campfire skills, campfire cooking, nature crafts and woodcraft wellbeing programmes:
- *Mindful walking - learn how to use walks in nature as a mindfulness practice
*Therapeutic nature photography - nature photography has been shown to have benefits to individuals mental health
*Mindful bush craft - an activity that requires focus and immersion, creating a space for participants to be fully present.
*Guided Nature Meditation - paired with the wellbeing strategy 'Peaceful Place', so participants can experience nature and a feeling of calm wherever they are
*Fire Lighting for Relaxation - Humans experience a relaxation response when sitting around a fire helping us feel calmer, more sociable and can even reduce blood pressure.
*Foraging Happy! . Foraging is an enjoyable activity and a fantastic tool for wellbeing- encouraging us to get active, be in nature and take notice of our surroundings.
Excellent sessions. The leaders engaged so well with my children and created a calm and relaxed environment for both children and parents. This is an invaluable session for SEN children and parents.
How to contact
Where to go
Wilder Doddington
Strunch Hill Wood
Doddington Estate
City of Lincoln
Lincolnshire
LN6 4RU
How to contact
Where to go
Wilder Doddington
Strunch Hill Wood
Doddington Estate
City of Lincoln
Lincolnshire
LN6 4RU
