Nature for Health Group Continues to Support Mental Wellbeing in Liskeard

A nature based activity group designed to support mental health is continuing to make a positive difference for people attending sessions in Liskeard.

The Nature for Health group was introduced last July by the Trust’s Dementia and Older Persons Mental Health Team. It started as a six week pilot but, after proving successful, now runs all year round. Following the current eight week programme, sessions will move to a weekly format from April.

How the group works

Sessions take place at Trevillis House and are organised and hosted by the Trust’s Dementia and Older Persons Mental Health Team.

The group focuses on nature based activities, mindfulness and creative work using natural materials. These include items sourced locally, from participants’ own gardens, or from walks along beaches, moors and local parks. The approach is designed to help people reconnect with nature, even if they have limited access to outdoor spaces in their day to day lives.

For those unable to attend in person, the team has also extended the idea of “bringing nature in”, using seasonal flowers, leaves and other natural items during visits to support conversation and engagement.

What people using the service have said

Several people attending the group have spoken about the impact it has had on their mental health.

One service user said:
“This group is like a buoy in the sea in a storm – something I can grab on to in the chaos.”

Another said:
“I look forward to coming to the group each week. It’s something to hold onto.”

During a recent session focused on emotion, one participant reflected:
“A bad experience is one way of learning about something you have never experienced before.”

People using the service also reported increased feelings of wellbeing, reduced stress and anxiety, and benefits from meeting new people and taking part in social interaction.

📷Pictured, from left: Molly Martin, Julia Mason and Nicky Snape, with butterfly and bird feeders, made by those who have attended Nature for Health sessions.

Staff behind the sessions

Julia Mason, a community psychiatry nurse in dementia and older people’s mental health, has been closely involved in delivering the group.

She said:
“Nature connectedness is known to be so beneficial to us all and in this fragmented and digitalised world this is being lost. The group focuses on re-establishing this through a grounding and nature connection mindfulness practice at the start of each session which we encourage participants to carry on at home.

“All our activities are based on nature, and crafts aim to use natural materials sourced locally or from people’s own gardens or from walks they have done on the beach/moors/local park etc (participants and staff).

“Even participants who have limited access to the outdoors in their normal living situation (including care homes) can be closer to nature by growing herbs, plants, and flowers indoors.

“We have extended the philosophy of the group to encompass ‘bringing nature in’ to patients who are not able to attend the group. For example, taking seasonal flowers, leaves, catkins to a visit and using this to evoke conversation.”

She added:
“It’s been great for me personally too. I feel that I am directly helping patients to have a better quality of life, that I am actually making a real and tangible difference.”

Occupational therapist Nicky Snape has been working alongside Julia and healthcare assistant Molly Martin to deliver the sessions.

Nicky said:
“The Nature for Health group represents why I went into occupational therapy. I wanted to make a difference with the power of activity and the interconnectedness of social belonging.

“The healing practice of creativity, exploration and imagination is magical. Nature truly regulates my emotions and aids my working practice, and I have seen this impact on our clients who express this in their daily lives who attend the group.”

Molly added:
“Nature for Health is a great part of the NHS strategy that my colleagues and I recently created into a positive and creative group to support our patients.

“Nature for Health has enabled us as health care professionals to really put our own swing on the group and cater for all our patients support needs. It takes place on a Monday, so it’s a great way to start a fresh new week with new thoughts. Social activity for our patients is a key aspect of their health and wellbeing.”

Training and wider plans

The team took part in nature based training last year, delivered by Dr Beth Chapman, consultant psychiatrist, and Michéal Connors from Natural Academy.

The approach also links with the Trust’s wider clinical strategy, which aims to change how clinical services are designed and delivered to better meet the needs of local people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. One of its key objectives is for half of clinical care to be delivered outdoors or in non traditional spaces.