Feel Good in the Forest
programme
Wild Creatives has partnered with Guisborough Forest in North Yorkshire to deliver a series of nature journaling workshops as part of “Feel Good in the Forest”, a Forestry England Active Forests Programme, supported by Sport England.
Our "Feel Good in the Forest" nature journaling sessions are designed to help improve people’s health and wellbeing by enabling them to: be more active, find restoration and build resilience, be connected to each other and the forest, and feel empowered to try new things and included in how activities are delivered. Our sessions are free to attend.
What is Feel Good in the Forest?
Feel Good in the Forest is part of Forestry England’s Active Forests Programme, which is supported by Sport England.
Feel Good in the Forest is a flexible programme of activities supporting people to increase their physical activity, improve their wellbeing and enjoy the benefits of spending time in forests.
Feel Good in the Forest is all about supporting each other to find ways to be active, feel restored and build resilience, connect with each other and the forest, be empowered to try new things and be included in the activities.
Who are the sessions for?
Everyone is welcome. Feel Good in the Forest is open to any individual with mild-to-moderate health conditions or who is looking to improve their health and wellbeing. This includes anyone with long-term mental health conditions, low mood, anxiety or stress and who wants to increase their physical activity through movement in the forests.
You can self-refer or be referred by a support worker.
What does the session involve?
Nature journaling is a time-honoured practice that combines art, science, and personal reflection. It's a way to connect with nature on a deeper level, enhancing your mental health while expressing your creativity.
During our session, we start with a welcoming circle at the Guisborough Forest Visitor Centre for an introduction to nature journaling and an overview of how the session will run. We then enjoy a nature walk through the forest to boost our physical wellbeing and to find our journaling sit spots. Once we're comfortable, we spend a couple of hours exploring an area of nature, using curiosity and creativity to complete several nature journaling activities.
Later, we settle down for a short group discussion where you can share your journal pages and reflections with fellow participants, if you feel comfortable to do so. We finish our session with optional refreshments back at the Visitor Centre, which is a great opportunity for community building and conversation for those who wish to stay and have a chat.
Once the session is finished, you will receive a nature journal and a woodland project booklet to take home with you, so you can continue this practice at home. You will also receive some Feel Good in the Forest resources, including a wellbeing journal and a journal to track your progress.
Our sessions are friendly, safe, supportive and inclusive with no pressure to take part in anything that you don't feel comfortable with.
How to book onto a free session
The following Autumn Feel Good in the Forest nature journaling sessions are available to book at no cost (spaces limited):
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Wednesday 11 September, Guisborough Forest (10am - 1pm)
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Wednesday 16 October, Guisborough Forest (10am - 1pm)
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Friday 8 November, Guisborough Forest (10am - 1pm)
Please note: these are stand-alone sessions so there is no need to come along to more than one of the dates, unless you would like to.
To book your space onto a session, please complete this form. Alternatively, you can either email Anna via wildcreativesuk@gmail.com or call 07840 210 403, stating which session you would like to attend. Spaces are limited so you may be placed on a waiting list if the session is fully booked.
In partnership with
Supported by
If you have any questions about these sessions or would like to chat it through, please don't hesitate to reach out by emailing Anna on wildcreativesuk@gmail.com or call us on 07840 210 403.