The Place Outside CIC

To enable participants to explore their own personal self-care for positive mental health and wellbeing through the 5 Pathways to Nature Connectedness. It supports inclusion, belonging emotional awareness, confidence and builds on social cohesion through peer support of the group, addressing loneliness and isolation. Through solo time and group reflection, participants engage in nature-based practices that become a health intervention to support a holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing as an ongoing self-care approach, that sees nature as not separate to health. It facilitates a positive mental health and wellbeing through facilitated time in nature, to experience access to nature as not separate to health. We support women in recovery from trauma-based addiction and also men in recovery from substance misuse. We run Naturewell for people in recovery from eating disorders, depression, anxiety, autism, bi-polar and ADHD. We work with participants regardless of colour or gender The Naturewell model is an evidenced set of pathways that supports a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. We aim to support young adults 18+ and welcome intergenerational groups to support an inclusive social supportive network. We support the flourishing of the personal, the social and the ecological aspects of what it means to be human. Naturewell 6 week courses and stand alone sessions, for participants with debilitating mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, eating disorder, addiction and substance misuse) and neurodiversity, through the Naturewell approach. NatureWell an evidenced approach to mental health recovery endorsed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and recognised as a model of practice for nature-based interventions across the UK, South Wales and within NHS mental health services across different NHS trusts in England. Supporting participants with depression, anxiety eating disorder recovery and neurodiversity and substance misuse, feedback tells us they continue to use nature based techniques they learn through Naturewell to sustain their mental health recovery ” This saved my life by keeping my bum on the seat of recovery” “I rarely feel a sense of belonging or existence around other people but this group environment enables me to feel more equal and a part of something. I don't think i would feel heard in the way i do in this group of people i don't need to try too hard to be a certain way to try and fit in.” “I am using the pathways each time I go out. It has changed the way I see the world and my place in it” It makes sense because; we are the only organisation in Gloucestershire delivering Naturewell with trained, qualified and experienced Naturewell practitioners. In 2024 we were invited to speak at The Naturewell Conference Bristol about the work we do.