Nature for Health group improving mental health
A nature-based activity group which aims to improve people's mental health is continuing to have a positive impact on those attending since it was launched last year.
The Trust's Dementia and Older Persons Mental Health Team introduced 'Nature for Health' last July.
It began as a 6-week pilot. But after proving a huge success, sessions are now held all-year round. After the current 8-week programme, sessions will run weekly from April.
For many, Nature for Health has had a positive impact on their mental health.
One service user said: "This group is like a buoy in the sea in a storm - something I can grab on to in the chaos."
Another service user said: "I look forward to coming to the group each week. It's something to hold onto."
At the most recent Nature for Health group, during a session about emotion, one service user said: "A bad experience is one way of learning about something you have never experienced before."
The sessions take place at Trevillis House in Liskeard. They are organised and hosted by the Trust's Dementia and Older Persons Mental Health Team.
Julia Mason is a community psychiatry nurse in dementia and older people's mental health for the Trust. She says:
"Nature connectedness is known to be so beneficial to us all and in this fragmented and digitalised world this is being lost. The group focuses on re-establishing this through a grounding and nature connection mindfulness practice at the start of each session which we encourage participants to carry on at home.
"All our activities are based on nature, and crafts aim to use natural materials sourced locally or from people's own gardens or from walks they have done on the beach, moors or local parks (participants and staff).
"Even participants who have limited access to the outdoors in their normal living situation (including care homes) can be closer to nature by growing herbs, plants, and flowers indoors.
"We have extended the philosophy of the group to encompass 'bringing nature in' to patients who are not able to attend the group. For example, taking seasonal flowers, leaves, catkins to a visit and using this to evoke conversation.
She adds: It's been great for me personally too. I feel that I am directly helping patients to have a better quality of life, that I am actually making a real and tangible difference.
The team took part in a training programme last year which introduced them to nature-based approaches. The training was provided by Natural Academy.
People using the service said that they felt they had benefitted from increased nature connection. This promoted feelings of wellbeing and reduced levels of stress and anxiety. Everyone felt they had benefitted from meeting new people and the social interaction.
Nicky Snape is an occupational therapist. She has been working alongside Julia and Molly Martin (healthcare assistant) in delivering the group sessions. She says:
"The Nature for Health group represents why I went into occupational therapy. I wanted to make a difference with the power of activity and the interconnectedness of social belonging.
"The healing practice of creativity, exploration and imagination is magical. Nature truly regulates my emotions and aids my working practice, and I have seen this impact on our clients who express this in their daily lives who attend the group.
Molly Martin says:
"Nature for Health is a great part of the NHS strategy that my colleagues and I recently created into a positive and creative group to support our patients.
"Nature for Health has enabled us as health care professionals to really put our own swing on the group and cater for all our patients support needs. It takes place on a Monday, so it's a great way to start a fresh new week with new thoughts. Social activity for our patients is a key aspect of their health and wellbeing."
The nature-based training was provided by Dr Beth Chapman (consultant psychiatrist) and Michéal Connors from the Natural Academy.
This approach also links in with our clinical strategy. This is an ambitious plan to drive tangible change in the way we think about, design and deliver clinical services to better meet the needs of local people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
One of the key objectives is to deliver half of the clinical care we provide outdoors, or in non-traditional spaces.