Heart Wood Mental Health Charity

Heart Wood Mental Health Charity We offer our a safe space, facilitated by two client-centred counsellors experienced in working therapeutically in a nature setting.

Heart Wood works to improve the mental health of people who are suffering with psychological distress - including those who might be described as experiencing ‘complex and enduring’ poor mental health - through group counselling in a nature setting. We work with a small group size that is manageable to the participants. At the sessions, the participants will check-in, prepare and light the fire, set up the parachute shelter, clear woodland from rhododendron, take part in other bushcraft activities, be part of group time and make group soup. The exact format of these activities alters with each group. No-one is under any pressure to do or talk about anything they don’t want to. Our intention is to create an environment which feels very safe. This often brings people to talk about their difficult experiences and being able to do this in safety is a way in which we can process our distress. We are offering something to people with poor mental health who are not presently able to benefit from activities that existing services offer or from statutory indoor mental health services. Working in a client-centred way in a nature setting can be experienced as easier to engage with. Previous participants have had the following outcomes:
• increased in confidence
• had a reduction in loneliness
• felt ‘valid and worth-while’
• continued connecting with each other beyond the project
• got back into employment
• resolved financial problems
• have engaged again within their local community
• improved relationships with families and friends
• learnt cooking skills resulting in an improved diet
• had an improvement in physical health
• learnt about nature and ecology
• and have continued to engage with the outdoors beyond the project in the knowledge that this helps with their wellbeing. We are currently running:

- two Men’s Groups for men aged around 25+ which run weekly on Fridays between April and August in private woodland near Slaley

- 10 pilot sessions for Hexham Youth Initiative's young people (aged 16 to 25) which run on alternate Thursdays

We are also piloting work with younger men aged 16-24 years.

All of us at Heart Wood are so proud of Rachel, our wonderful Administrator, who won the Unsung Hero award last week for...
21/11/2025

All of us at Heart Wood are so proud of Rachel, our wonderful Administrator, who won the Unsung Hero award last week for her volunteering work at Allendale Football Club. Rachel gives so much to so many and massively deserves this award. Well done Rachel!

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ We’re thrilled to share that our four incredible Great North Run heroes — Marek, Zak, Jack, and Rachel — have r...
24/10/2025

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ We’re thrilled to share that our four incredible Great North Run heroes — Marek, Zak, Jack, and Rachel — have raised an amazing £3,111 in sponsorship, plus gift aid!

But that’s not all…

🍽️ A huge shoutout to Marek and the fabulous team at Hjem, who hosted a sensational Sunday lunch and raffle, raising an additional £4,560!

🎉 That brings our grand total to an astonishing £7,671 (plus gift aid!) — all thanks to the passion, energy, and generosity of our runners, supporters, and everyone who donated. We are truly blown away

👟 Looking ahead to Great North Run 2026 — we’re hoping to secure charity places again! If you’d love to run for us and make a difference, drop us a message. We’d love to have you on the team!

Kathryn is walking the length of Hadrians Wall throughout July, in memory of her son Stuart. Kathryn has fundraised for ...
18/07/2025

Kathryn is walking the length of Hadrians Wall throughout July, in memory of her son Stuart. Kathryn has fundraised for Heart Wood several times over recent years, she is a true inspiration and we are forever grateful.

The money Kathryn raises will directly support our groups and make a difference to local men throughout Tynedale.

Let’s cheer Kathryn on ever step of the way and if you are able to please sponsor her just giving page. 💚💚

Help Kathryn Sim raise money to support Heart Wood

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