Since the pandemic, more and more people have been getting outside and feeling the benefits of taking time to be in nature. Whether it’s going out with the dog or taking a ramble through some of our stunning somerset countryside, we all know that we feel better by getting out. But have you ever wondered why that is and how you might feel even better from getting outside?

Tom and Barbara have teamed up with Somerset Skills and Learning to deliver a new course designed specifically to support people to be in nature more meaningfully so as to improve mental and emotional health.

Barbara Gonzalez, Counsellor and Eco-therapist, said: “We’ve brought together mindfulness, nature connection and therapy to support people who are struggling with low mood, isolation and anxiety.”

Tom has been offering nature-based mindfulness courses over recent years and seen great results. “People have come through my mindfulness courses and report that they are calmer, happier and more resilient as a result of practising regular mindfulness”, adds Mindfulness teacher, Tom Veck.

Recent studies have shown that connecting mindfully with nature, in groups, has a positive impact not only on physical health, but also stress levels, self esteem and confidence and overall mood.

“I have been delivering nature connection courses for the last five years and seen people really turn themselves around and make significant changes to their lifestyles as a result. These changes can impact not only how they feel about themselves, but also their relationships.” Barbara also runs a private counselling practice working exclusively with people one to one, in nature. She adds “Therapy has traditionally been about the supportive relationship between client and therapist, however I believe that nature also forms an intrinsic part of that support”.

The course will run in the Autumn and brings together all the most effective aspects of mindfulness training, nature connection and eco-therapy for a small group of no more than ten people.

“We are delighted to be offering the course at the Green Heart Space, Chesterblade Hills, just outside of Frome. It’s a beautiful space where you feel like you can get away for the day, but it’s only down the road”.

Tom and Barbara feel passionately that therapy and nature connection should be available to everyone and so teaming up with Somerset Skills and Learning has meant that the course can be offered either free or at low cost.

“It’s our hope that ecotherapy can be accessible to everyone regardless of income and as green social prescribing develops across Somerset, we hope to see this become a reality”, says Tom.

The Therapeutic Nature Connection course starts on Friday, 8th September and will run over eight sessions with a group of no more than ten people.

To register, visit the Somerset Skills and Learning website: https://www.sslcourses.co.uk/courses/course/therapeutic-nature-connection-for-mental-health-and-wellbeing-starter/