Free wellbeing in the woods sessions in Haywards Heath this Autumn

If you’re an adult who would like help in improving your sense of wellbeing, and live in or near Haywards Heath and the surrounding villages, then we would like to invite you to register your interest in joining our free Woods on Prescription course starting next month.

Karen Laver, Lost Woods team leader for Action in Rural Sussex, explains more:

At times, many of us can experience feeling lonely, isolated or down. Life can throw us challenges or long-term difficulties, whereas at other times, a low mood gradually develops unexpectedly. I’ve definitely had times like these.

If this is you at the moment, and you’re finding it hard to know how to feel more like yourself again, then you might be interested to hear that spending time in nature has been shown to reduce our stress and boost our mood. It has also been shown to enhance our immune system and improve our quality of sleep.

From September, we’ll be running our Woods on Prescription course in Haywards Heath. The course of six weekly sessions is open for adults who live locally and wish to boost their sense of wellbeing.

We’ll be meeting in the woods at Scrase Valley Nature Reserve or Bentswood Hub (depending on how kind the weather is) and running activities that will help connect you with nature as well as meet new people in your community. We base our sessions on the NHS’s Five Ways to Wellbeing approach, so that by the time the course ends, you’ll have some practical tools for the future.

The sessions are different each week. We might be trying our hand at a woodland craft, going on a nature walk, or doing some light conservation tasks.

The group always ends the session with tea and cake, and shared thoughts and experiences, along with a nature-based task for the coming week.  

We’ve already run these courses in Henfield and Burgess Hill, and we’ve had amazing feedback. Previous participants have said:

“I’ve had the most beautiful time. It’s something I wouldn’t have thought I’d come along to, but it’s been enjoyable, informative and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve loved meeting different people.”

“[I’ve] got back in touch with myself, which I haven't been for very many years. It's feels really good. and as I say, it’s a safe place to be."

“It’s got me out of the house and got me more interested in life again following an illness.”

To find out more and arrange a no-obligation chat, or to register your interest in joining the course, please email lostwoodsteam@ruralsussex.org.uk. We’d love to see you there and we're also running a taster session on Thursday 5 September so you can try it out. We are also keen to hear from social prescribers or community groups who would like to refer local people to join a course.

The Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Woods on Prescription course dates, Autumn 2024:

Haywards Heath

Location: Scrase Valley Nature Reserve/ Bentswood Hub

Weekly sessions on Thursdays, 10am - 1pm from 12 September

Taster session: 5 September (come along and meet the team, you're welcome to bring a friend or family member with you)

Course dates: 12 September, 19 September, 26 September, 3 October, 10 October, 17 October

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The courses are made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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