Nature Connects

01/08/2025

Are you a tech wizard that could give me some advice please?
I'm trying to improve our social media presence and thought I'd connected our Facebook and Instagram accounts to automatically cross-post...but I haven't and am getting quite confused trying to figure out how to
I'm probably missing something obvious!

01/08/2025

Happy Lughnasadh...the time of the first harvest...a time of reflection on what you are harvesting. This post is about ours ❤️❤️❤️

This week has been a busy, exciting, inspiring and humbling time for our team at Nature Connects

We started the week with our collaboration on the Food Troops CIC Time2Move holiday programme. On a mizzly day, we made friends with caterpillars, spiders and snails. We looked up close with hand magnifiers giving us a glimpse into their micro world. We played, ate and explored together...looking forward to the rest of our sessions over the Summer holidays 🐛🕸🐌

We also started our 6 week Woodland Wellness programme in Helston with a wonderful group of people. Joining group programmes can often feel quite challenging so we always try to create a space which feels as welcoming as possible. After our 3 hour session there was a real sense of community forming. We're excited to see what the next 5 weeks bring.
And it was lovely to get to know the Helston Downsland Charity site better theough our nature connection activities ❤️

Lastly, we ran our final session of a 3 part NatureWell NHS Staff Wellbeing programme. These sessions are designed, by the Natural Academy to improve staff wellbeing, by introducing nature connection practices to help participants come into the present moment and reduce stress and anxiety.
Our final sharing circle/ check out was an emotional one for all of us. Participants shared that these 3 sessions (9 hours in total) had already had a profound positive impact on their wellbeing and relationship to, and as, nature.
It was a real affirmation for us of how important this work is and what a difference it makes to those that participate.

It's not always easy trying to sustain and develop our work. But all these experiences have reminded us why we do what we do...to heal people and planet together through a One Health approach 🌸

And huge motivation to keep going one connection at a time 🌿🌿🌿

25/07/2025

Not long to go now till we start our first Woodland Wellness programme in Helston Events in Cornwall UK

🌿 Nature Connection Programme
Restore | Discover | Find Calm

Join us on a journey of reconnection — with nature, yourself, and others. This six-week programme is an immersive, facilitated experience that helps restore balance between our inner world and the natural environment. Grounded in research and guided by experienced facilitators, our sessions provide a safe, inclusive space to explore the proven benefits of nature connection.

📅 Programme Overview
Duration: 6 weeks

Session Length: 3 hours per week

Group Size: 6–12 participants (consistent core group)

Location: Outdoor, nature-based setting

Finances will never be a barrier to participating. We have fully funded places available for everyone that needs them, provided by Helston Town Council, Helston Downsland Charity and our Crowdfunder supporters. If you are to able to contribute towards your place, either in full or partially, it helps our longterm longevity and supports others to access more places. Cost for the full 6 week programme: £225

Note: This is a funded programme, but not free. Bookings are essential.

🌱 What to Expect
Our approach follows the Five Pathways to Nature Connection, developed by the University of Derby. Each session blends guided activities, self-reflection, and shared experiences designed to nurture calm, insight, and resilience.

🌀 Calm
Ground yourself through your senses. Each session begins with practices to help you relax, reduce stress, and feel present in the moment.

🌳 Restore
Reconnect with your natural rhythm. Time in nature can restore focus, promote emotional healing, and remind us of our place in the web of life.

🔍 Discover
Find meaning and inspiration. We invite both personal and group reflection, supporting you on your journey of self-discovery.

🔥 What We Do
Engage in core routines of nature connection, designed to deepen your physical, emotional, and spiritual bond with the natural world.

Learn about wild flora and fauna, practice fire-building, and enjoy tasting wild foods.

Participate in group discussions around a welcoming fire circle — a non-judgmental space for sharing and reflection.

Receive tools and guidance to continue your nature connection practice at home.

🌟 Facilitated by
Sarah and Victoria — experienced, compassionate facilitators who create safe, inclusive, and timeless spaces for connection.

🌿 After the Course
Participants are invited to join our Nature Buddies community — a supportive space to continue your journey beyond the six weeks.

23/07/2025

Today we ran our first session in Helston at the Downsland Charity site, Hospital Cross ❤️

We had a wonderful time, connecting to the site through our senses, seeing things from different perspectives and introducing practices to improve wellbeing and reduce stress, by coming into the present moment.

Next week Wednesday 30th July 10am-1pm we start a 6 week funded programme

If you'd like to experience this for yourself why don't you join us.

Thanks to Helston Town Council, Helston Downsland Charity and our Crowdfunder supporters we are able to offer fully funded spaces for everyone that needs them

You can find out more and book here
https://www.natureconnects.org/service-page/woodland-wellness-programme-1

Please get in touch with any questions

21/07/2025

***FREE NATURE CONNECTION FOR WELLBEING ***

If you're intrigued to find out more about nature connection, and how it can improve your wellbeing, why don't you join us at our free (fully funded) Taster session this Wednesday 23rd July 11am-1pm in Helston.

You can book your place here: https://www.natureconnects.org/service-page/nature-connects-taster-session-2?referral=service_list_widget

With thanks to Helston Town Council and Helston Downsland Charity

A special glimpse into what Nature Connection looks like and discover how it could transform your life. Session will include some nature based activities to connect our bodies and minds to the beautiful woodlands where we will be based for the session. This session is open to individuals who are int...

18/07/2025

If you're intrigued to find out more about nature connection, and how it can improve your wellbeing, why don't you join us at our free (fully funded) Taster session next Wednesday 23rd July 11am-1pm in Helston?
You can book your place here:

With thanks to Helston Town Council and Helston Downsland Charity

A special glimpse into what Nature Connection looks like and discover how it could transform your life. Session will include some nature based activities to connect our bodies and minds to the beautiful woodlands where we will be based for the session. This session is open to individuals who are int...

15/07/2025

Exciting news! Our flagship Woodland Wellness programme is coming to Helston this summer! Thanks to support from Helston Downsland Charity and Helston Town Council.

If you want to boost your wellbeing, connect with nature, and meet new people, join us.

Taster session: Wednesday 23rd July 11am-1pm (free & fully funded)

6-week programme starts: Wednesday 30th July 10am-pm (free & fully funded)

Location: Helston Downsland Charity site — a beautiful community space between Culdrose and the old Flambards site.

We offer full or partial funding to anyone who needs it to ensure finances are never a barrier to anyone attending.
However contributions are always welcome if participants can afford to fund their own space. If you can pay, your contribution helps others join and supports Nature Connects' future.

This is what some of our participants on our last programme had to say:
"Yes. The programme was beyond my expectations. I felt so safe and supported and I have so many new tools to cope with life. The group setting was lovely and Sarah and Vicky as facilitators were grounding and supportive, playful, encouraging and knowledgable. Connection was nature was at the heart of everything we did and spoke about. I absolutely loved it."

"It provided a soothing, compassionate environment to reconnect with nature, other people and myself. The no pressure, no expectations environment allowed me the time and space I needed to move closer to my personal development goals. Overall it has had a massive, positive impact on my wellbeing and has given me tools and confidence to continue growing."

100% of our participants said they would recommend us.

Worried about joining? We get it — many feel anxious at first. We offer support like phone chats, meet-and-greets, or bringing a friend along. There’s no pressure to participate fully — it’s all by invitation, and groups are small to help you feel comfortable.

Find out more and book here:
https://www.natureconnects.org/woodland-wellbeing

Questions or concerns? Just ask—we’re here to help you feel at ease.

 For people who would like to improve their mental, physical, emotional health through the proven benefit of spending time in nature with others. 

12/07/2025

This is the new 10 year strategy for the NHS. Here at Nature Connects we're glad to see prevention and community will be prioritised. Opportunities to connect with human communities, and remember ourselves as part of a wider and wilder community of life, helps us flourish and remember we belong. This is at the heart of our work and offerings.

However there is a huge ommission from this plan.

Nature Connects was part of an event, earlier this year in Cornwall, where local VCSE organisations met with the NHS to consult on the planned strategy.
Many of us there commented on the absolute need for a One Health approach to be an integral part of this strategy.
We are nature, not separate from it, and our health and wellbeing is interdependent on the health and wellbeing of all other life.
It is essential we start acting on this truth and it's very disappointing, and frankly extremely concerning, to see this is not mentioned anywhere in the strategy.
Today in the UK we are seeing the effects of climate breakdown with heatwaves across the country.
Alongside the increasingly common extreme weather events that occur throughout the year.
This affects everyone, but particularly the most vulnerable in our communities.
This strategy needs to be immediately reviewed and updated to reflect this priority.

"one striking omission threatens to undermine the plan’s success: nature. Evidence tells us that it’s one of the most powerful means of supporting physical and mental health. And yet is not mentioned once in the plan’s 168 pages."
https://theconversation.com/the-nhs-ten-year-health-plan-is-missing-a-crucial-ingredient-nature-260508

08/07/2025

Summer's coming 🌞🌞🌞 Send your nature and food loving kids to our free sessions in Redruth this holiday

Come & join us for edible crafts, cookery, outdoor activities, gardening and nature connection. Aimed at kids ages 5-12 . *Free for those eligible for free school meals Situated in the heart of Victoria Park, we are running our sessions from our community kitchen and garden which we give exclusive a...

03/07/2025

Exciting news! Our flagship Woodland Wellness programme is coming to Helston this summer!

If you want to boost your wellbeing, connect with nature, and meet new people, join us.
Taster session: 23rd July (free & fully funded)
6-week programme starts: 30th July
Location: Helston Downsland Site — a beautiful community space between Culdrose and the old Flambards site.

Cost: £225 for the full programme
We offer full or partial funding to keep it accessible. If you can pay, your contribution helps others join and supports Nature Connects' future.

This is what some of our participants on our last programme had to say:
"Yes. The programme was beyond my expectations. I felt so safe and supported and I have so many new tools to cope with life. The group setting was lovely and Sarah and Vicky as facilitators were grounding and supportive, playful, encouraging and knowledgable. Connection was nature was at the heart of everything we did and spoke about. I absolutely loved it."

"It provided a soothing, compassionate environment to reconnect with nature, other people and myself. The no pressure, no expectations environment allowed me the time and space I needed to move closer to my personal development goals. Overall it has had a massive, positive impact on my wellbeing and has given me tools and confidence to continue growing."

100% of our participants said they would recommend us.

Worried about joining? We get it — many feel anxious at first. We offer support like phone chats, meet-and-greets, or bringing a friend along. There’s no pressure to participate fully — it’s all by invitation, and groups are small to help you feel comfortable.

Find out more and book here:
https://www.natureconnects.org/woodland-wellbeing

Questions or concerns? Just ask—we’re here to help you feel at ease.

 For people who would like to improve their mental, physical, emotional health through the proven benefit of spending time in nature with others. 

25/06/2025

🎉🌿 We’re 5 Years Old Today! 🌿🎉
Wow—how time flies! From our humble beginnings during lockdown in 2020, we’ve grown into a thriving community, united by a shared mission: to reconnect people with themselves as nature, for the wellbeing of both people and planet.

Since then, we’ve had the joy of working with hundreds of people across the county through our Woodland Wellness programme, Staff Wellbeing sessions, NatureWell training courses, the Nature Buddies community, and so many more collaborative projects.

We’ve spent countless hours in woodlands and wild spaces, witnessing the healing power of nature and human connection. It hasn’t always been easy—but the journey has been deeply rewarding, and we are so grateful for all the encouragement, generosity, and support we’ve received along the way.

💚 Whether it’s been emotional, financial, or practical support—thank you. Our love for nature, community, and meaningful connection has only grown stronger.

🌟 2025 is set to be a BIG year!
We’re excited to launch new services and projects that will allow us to support even more people, wherever they are on their journey of connection and healing.

Sarah has recently completed a 3-year training in Ecopsychology and Nature-Based Practices, and we can’t wait to share our new 1:1 and group Ecotherapy sessions and other projects—coming soon!

We’re still on our mission—and more passionate than ever. We’d love for you to be part of what comes next. 💫

With love and gratitude,
🌿 The Nature Connects Team

17/06/2025

Really excited to announce that this summer we will be collaborating with our friends- the amazing and inspiring Food Troops CIC to deliver the
Going LIVE on Playwaze on the 24th June don’t forget to follow us on Playwaze and be sure to get a place for your child this summer.
Looking forward to offering some great sessions collaborating with the wonderful Food Troops facilitators, chefs and gardeners and my co-facilitator from Nature Connects CIC
We can’t wait :)

Super excited to announce we will be running the again this summer for your little ones!!
Going LIVE on Playwaze on the 24th June don’t forget to follow us on Playwaze and be sure to get a place for your child this summer. This summer we have some great sessions lined up collaborating with the amazing & and our wonderful Food Troops facilitators, chefs and gardeners.
We can’t wait :)