New Groups for 2024-2025
We’ve continued to listen and involve participants in shaping sessions. Now we have two different groups.
The Taking Root Group - An introduction to nature wellbeing
The Blooming Brambles Group - Taking care of yourself and the woods
We’ve continued to listen and involve participants in shaping sessions. Now we have two different groups.
The Taking Root Group - An introduction to nature wellbeing
The Blooming Brambles Group - Taking care of yourself and the woods
What is Wellbeing in the Woods?
We bring people to the woods so that they can connect with others, find beauty in the nature around them, and help to look after the land and woods that so generously provide space, oxygen, and habitat for health. Our aim is that each person finds ways to connect with or make a relationship with the natural world, and that helps their health and that of the Earth.
We started running nature-wellbeing groups for adults in 2012, with funding from adult learning, and called these Wild Learning. Since then, nature-wellbeing has become much more known about, the benefits thoroughly researched, and the NHS and others talk about “green social prescribing” as a way to improve people’s health.
Grants, Support and Funding
Since the pandemic, we have had funding support from Somerset Open Mental Health and the Halpin Trust. In late 2024 we secured funding with support from the players of People's Postcode Lottery. If you want to help us raise further funds to support these groups, get in touch!
We bring people to the woods so that they can connect with others, find beauty in the nature around them, and help to look after the land and woods that so generously provide space, oxygen, and habitat for health. Our aim is that each person finds ways to connect with or make a relationship with the natural world, and that helps their health and that of the Earth.
We started running nature-wellbeing groups for adults in 2012, with funding from adult learning, and called these Wild Learning. Since then, nature-wellbeing has become much more known about, the benefits thoroughly researched, and the NHS and others talk about “green social prescribing” as a way to improve people’s health.
Grants, Support and Funding
Since the pandemic, we have had funding support from Somerset Open Mental Health and the Halpin Trust. In late 2024 we secured funding with support from the players of People's Postcode Lottery. If you want to help us raise further funds to support these groups, get in touch!
🌿 The Taking Root Group
An introduction to nature wellbeing.
Good news! Neroche Woodlanders have funding from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for a new group of adult nature-wellbeing sessions at Young Wood near Taunton, for people with mild to moderate mental health needs.
What is it?
New trees put out roots into the ground to get the nourishment and stability they need to grow. Over time these roots help them connect with other trees, fungi, and create the foundation to be healthy. The Taking Root Group is to help people start their journey towards nature-wellbeing. The days are friendly, focused, gentle, at your pace. Groups have 10-12 participants, and a team of helpers made up of staff and volunteers.
Taster Session December 10th from 11am-2pm.
For participants and referrers to see if this works for you or your clients
You can book here: password Spindle24
This session is free, although we ask for contributions from those who can afford it.
Spaces are limited and we ask you to come for the whole session.
Taster - More Information
When will the Taking Root Group take place ?
A series of 6-8 regular sessions in the woods.
Tuesdays from 10-2.30pm.
Starting January 2025. Dates in calendar below. Booking here.
Who is it for?
Open to adults from across Taunton and wider Somerset. We have designed the Taking Root Group with the help of many people over the years. The group works especially well for people who have experienced mental or emotional distress, who feel isolated, need time to reflect on life, are neurodivergent, and those trying to build skills to get moving in life again.
Sessions include:
- Starting with hot drinks, toast and talking together as a group around the campfire
- Grounding and ecotherapy practices to connect with self and nature
- Guided explore walks through the woods looking for plants, animal tracks and seasonal changes.
- Looking after the campfire, boiling kettles and cooking lunch together
- Practical activities in small groups with guidance from the team – learning about plants, conservation tasks like cutting back hazel shrubs, learning to make things from wood or weaving with willow.
- Ending with a circle around the campfire to share stories of the day.
The Taking Root Group is for people to come find their own level of connection with nature. We all have good days and bad days. In the woods you are able to just be yourself. Learning and ideas will take root inside you, and you will find new roots to support your own wellbeing.
An introduction to nature wellbeing.
Good news! Neroche Woodlanders have funding from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery for a new group of adult nature-wellbeing sessions at Young Wood near Taunton, for people with mild to moderate mental health needs.
What is it?
New trees put out roots into the ground to get the nourishment and stability they need to grow. Over time these roots help them connect with other trees, fungi, and create the foundation to be healthy. The Taking Root Group is to help people start their journey towards nature-wellbeing. The days are friendly, focused, gentle, at your pace. Groups have 10-12 participants, and a team of helpers made up of staff and volunteers.
Taster Session December 10th from 11am-2pm.
For participants and referrers to see if this works for you or your clients
You can book here: password Spindle24
This session is free, although we ask for contributions from those who can afford it.
Spaces are limited and we ask you to come for the whole session.
Taster - More Information
- Bring: Warm clothes, hat, gloves (all sessions are outdoors).
- Lunch & hot drinks and fruit snacks are provided.
- Booking is compulsory (for both your client AND yourself).
- There is no charge for this session. Please be aware if you don’t attend once booked you will be taking a free space opportunity from someone else.
- There will not be transport provided for the taster, please make arrangements for you client or/or yourself to get to us.
When will the Taking Root Group take place ?
A series of 6-8 regular sessions in the woods.
Tuesdays from 10-2.30pm.
Starting January 2025. Dates in calendar below. Booking here.
Who is it for?
Open to adults from across Taunton and wider Somerset. We have designed the Taking Root Group with the help of many people over the years. The group works especially well for people who have experienced mental or emotional distress, who feel isolated, need time to reflect on life, are neurodivergent, and those trying to build skills to get moving in life again.
Sessions include:
- Starting with hot drinks, toast and talking together as a group around the campfire
- Grounding and ecotherapy practices to connect with self and nature
- Guided explore walks through the woods looking for plants, animal tracks and seasonal changes.
- Looking after the campfire, boiling kettles and cooking lunch together
- Practical activities in small groups with guidance from the team – learning about plants, conservation tasks like cutting back hazel shrubs, learning to make things from wood or weaving with willow.
- Ending with a circle around the campfire to share stories of the day.
The Taking Root Group is for people to come find their own level of connection with nature. We all have good days and bad days. In the woods you are able to just be yourself. Learning and ideas will take root inside you, and you will find new roots to support your own wellbeing.
🌼The Blooming Brambles Group
Taking care of yourself and the woods.
What is it?
Brambles provide a perfect habitat and protection for dormice, provide flowers for nectar-loving insects and fruit for the badgers, birds, and humans. They also need cutting back from time to time so they don’t take over the woods! The Blooming Brambles Group is about learning the balance between taking care of yourself, getting what’s needed, and taking care of the woods, the land, and other humans. The aim is for participants to learn to collaborate on tasks, make decisions about activities that will help the woods, be side by side with each other and the team of running the session, learning what needs to be done for the group to work. The Blooming Brambles Group helps with social and practical skills.
When is it?
Wednesdays once a fortnight 10am-2.45.
See available dates below in the calendar – you will need a passcode to book.
Who is it for?
For people who have been to Take Root or Woodland Wellbeing or Wild Learning in the past few years and feel ready to spend time in the woods for your wellbeing and to help look after the woods through practical tasks.
Sessions include:
Creating the days workcamp together – lighting campfire, sorting tools, hanging a tarp, kitchen and lunch organisation, and tasks for the day agreed. There will be space for time alone, time to chat and nature-connection. Doing tasks that benefit the wellbeing of the woods and the wellbeing of the group, which we will do together. They could include:
Taking care of yourself and the woods.
What is it?
Brambles provide a perfect habitat and protection for dormice, provide flowers for nectar-loving insects and fruit for the badgers, birds, and humans. They also need cutting back from time to time so they don’t take over the woods! The Blooming Brambles Group is about learning the balance between taking care of yourself, getting what’s needed, and taking care of the woods, the land, and other humans. The aim is for participants to learn to collaborate on tasks, make decisions about activities that will help the woods, be side by side with each other and the team of running the session, learning what needs to be done for the group to work. The Blooming Brambles Group helps with social and practical skills.
When is it?
Wednesdays once a fortnight 10am-2.45.
See available dates below in the calendar – you will need a passcode to book.
Who is it for?
For people who have been to Take Root or Woodland Wellbeing or Wild Learning in the past few years and feel ready to spend time in the woods for your wellbeing and to help look after the woods through practical tasks.
Sessions include:
Creating the days workcamp together – lighting campfire, sorting tools, hanging a tarp, kitchen and lunch organisation, and tasks for the day agreed. There will be space for time alone, time to chat and nature-connection. Doing tasks that benefit the wellbeing of the woods and the wellbeing of the group, which we will do together. They could include:
- Tending and weeding the tree nursery and poly tunnel.
- Coppicing hazel using saws and other tools.
- Re-weaving fences
- Splitting logs, barrowing, and stocking up sawdust
- Building new sawhorses
- Nature ID and recording species.
- Making lunch for everyone and tending the fire.