Wild and Well: Services and projects
Groups, projects and other opportunities to improve wellness through nature-based initiatives.
If you have any other examples that you would like us to include, please get in touch with us.
Scottish Mental Health Association (SAMH)
We are delighted that SAMH is supporting our Wild and Well campaign. Around since 1923, Scotland’s national mental health charity is committed to supporting Scotland’s mental health: they work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others, and carry out policy and campaign work to influence positive social change.
Blue Prescribing - Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and the Mental Health Foundation
In response to YouGov research showing that 65% of people find being near water (coast, rivers, lakes and ponds) has a positive impact on their mental health, this Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and Mental Health Foundation (MHF) project aims to improve people’s mental health through connecting to ‘watery’ nature.
The Conservation Volunteers
A wide range of TCV activities provide opportunities to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing through physical activity and social interaction including the Green Gym programme.
NHS Forests
This project is coordinated by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and aims to improve the health and wellbeing of patients, staff and communities by increasing access to green space on or near to NHS land; by sparking projects that bring together professionals and volunteers to use new and existing woodland for art, food crops, reflection and exercise, and to encourage biodiversity; and encouraging the use of gardens and other green space for therapeutic purposes.
Our Natural Health Service - NatureScot
Our Natural Health Service promotes nature-based health initiatives and interventions, and shows how Scotland’s natural environment is a resource that can be used to help tackle some of our key health issues. The initiative aims to bring about a step change in the use of nature-based solutions to deliver health outcomes.
Centre for Sustainable Healthcare
Since 2008 the Centre has worked with partners to engage healthcare professionals, patients and the wider community in understanding the connections between health and environment and reducing healthcare’s resource footprint. Their programmes enable healthcare professionals to develop sustainable models of care, based on four principles of sustainable clinical practice: Prevention, Patient empowerment and self care, Lean systems, and Low carbon alternatives.
VICTA
VICTA is a UK charity supporting visually impaired children and young people, which has increasingly been developing activities that use nature/wild spaces to promote positive wellbeing, including outdoor wellbeing weekends, virtual retreats and the delivery of the John Muir Award. Learn more
We Be Kids
We Be Kids is a registered community interest company who's aim is to provide free activities for children and families to take part in together and boost their wellbeing. It is a part of the alternative care economy where each activity and event is an act of kindness and forms part of the kindness economy which relies on 'kindness transactions'. We Be Kids follows a simple model that helps families take positive strides towards boosting their wellbeing - providing a blend of activities and ideas designed to help you engage with the 5 ways to wellbeing while also connecting with Nature.
Wild at Heart - Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust
Wild at Heart runs social groups for adults with the aim of exploring local green spaces and using the natural world to help boost wellbeing, learn new skills and hobbies, and make new friends in the community. All Wild at Heart activities and sessions are based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing
Wild yoga Glencoe - Mindful wild authentic adventure
Wild Yoga Glencoe organises a series of day, overnight and weekend retreats combining Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness and Adventure immersed in the stunning wild scenery of the Scottish Highlands. Each experience is bespoke to the season. Learn more.