Social Prescribing
We accept referrals from GP’s and other commissioning bodies
Nature Based interventions
“The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician. Therefore the physician must start from nature, with an open mind”
Paracelsus (1493-1541).
Social prescribing is the provision of non-clinical support for people with a range of mental and physical health problems. Nature helps restore emotional regulation, essential to coping successfully with challenges in everyday life. Developing resilience to keep negative mindsets at bay, replaced by positive emotions, has benefits for both health and wellbeing.
Referred by GP’s, schools or other professional service, we can provide nature based interventions as an alternative, or alongside prescribed medication to improve health and wellbeing of participants. Our activities are designed to help people maintain positive mood, shifting mindsets away from negative states, strengthening resilience, emotional and social skills, self esteem and self assurance.
“Going to the woods is like going home” John Muir
Being in nature encourages positive psychological responses.and our 20 acre woodland is an oasis of calm and tranquility. A therapeutic landscape, surrounded by fields and with no public access or rights of way, the ancient woodland is a perfect place to deliver nature based health and wellbeing interventions.
Spending time in a therapeutic landscape does not deliver an instant cure for either physical illness or mental distress, but such places facilitate relaxation, providing opportunity for lowering cortisol levels in the sympathetic nervous system that cause symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Stress hormones can compromise immune system defences and scientific studies have shown that cortisol levels are lowered when time is spent in nature, particularly in tree-filled environments.
We accept referrals on a case to case basis. We recommend a minimum 12 week prescription model, to facilitate incremental benefits to health and wellbeing experienced through attending sessions.
The scope of our work has so far embraced:
People with mild mental health problems
People who are socially isolated
Children at risk of school exclusion
Adults and children with anxiety issues
Early stage dementia
Susan Collini is our Social Prescribing lead. Susan has many years of experience working within the educational sector for special needs and is passionate about the scope for reducing NHS costs through provision of nature intervention initiatives.
Susan holds Level 3 practitioner qualifications for delivery of Social Forestry, Mindfulness in a woodland setting and Forest School. Susan is supported by other qualified staff, as required, and a team of volunteers. All Outdoor Tribe staff and session volunteers have enhanced DBS certificates and are called upon as and when, dictated by group size and activities being provided.
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Read our published study
Our Social Forestry group has been meeting for over 3 years now. The age range of people who attend ranges form those in their 30’s to those in their 80’s.
The University of Northampton published a research study based on feedback from attendees at our Social Forestry sessions, which provided clear evidence of the benefits to health and wellbeing delivered by involvement in activities within a woodland environment.
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The benefits of nature immersion
Spending time in a woodland can provide a psychologically safe haven from the man-made pressures of society.
Outdoor experiences can enhance the ability to be in the present moment, expand the senses and think more clearly.
The natural world connects people to their authentic selves.
