Always on
This project successfully funded on 4th October 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Healing Through Nature - Womens Wellbeing Support
Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom
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Aim
Empower women who have complex needs to recover from domestic abuse, mental health difficulties and isolation through nature and community
WHAT WE DO
We offer a holistic, nature based support group for women in a woodland environment. This wellbeing group is held each week and promotes healing and recovery for women with complex needs, this includes women impacted by domestic abuse, mental health difficulties, addiction, poverty and isolation.
Women are able to enjoy activities, in a safe space, that promote wellbeing, community, reduce anxiety and increase physical activity. They are able to experience the proven health benefits of being in nature . Activities include, forest bathing, nature ID, woodland walks, natural craft activities, woodcraft, poetry, art and wild cooking.
Women cook over the fire and enjoy a hot meal together. The sessions are led by specialist therapeutic forest school leaders with counselling skills qualifications and adult mental health first aid which allows us to signpost and support.
NEED
This group has been successful in reaching women who often feel alone and isolated. The group provides a trauma informed safe space where women can come together, be themselves and can support each other. Women significantly benefit from the healing and wellbeing offered by nature. This group is the only one in this area and is attended by women from across Bognor Regis and Chichester, Littlehampton and surrounding areas. Attendance is open ended.
IMPACT
Many of the women attending have described the group as transformative and as having a major impact on their recovery, significantly improving mental health and giving them the confidence to try new ways of living and make active changes to their lives.
This group effectively
Reduces isolation and allows friendships to be formed
Through being in nature promotes relaxation and reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression. It enhances sleep and wellbeing
Provides community and support
Allows women to be themselves
Learn new skills and be creative
Builds confidence, self esteem and resilience
Helps healing and recovery
Allows women to go on to access their community through joining other groups, seeking support, volunteering for other charities and returning to employment.
FREE AT THE POINT OF DELIVERY
This service is free to the women who attend, most could not afford to attend if there was even a nominal fee. We are constantly fundraising to keep the project afloat. The women who attend also engage in fundraising activities themselves to support our efforts.
What We Are Asking For
We need vital financial assistance until further funding has been secured in order to continue our work to support women, irrespective of their background.
We want to raise £10000 to ensure the continuity of our transformative programme. Please join us in sparking creativity and improving resilience by making a change a little at a time. This funding will pay for the cost of leaders, food and equipment and resources. It will also allow us to provide transport to the woods for women who would be otherwise unable to attend.
Please help us to maintain our project as a beacon of hope, where empowerment thrives. Together, we can continue to offer support and transformation, illuminating lives. Your generosity will maintain our shared vision for a brighter future for those in need.
Testimonials
" This group has allowed me to just be myself, I think this is the first time I have felt this in my whole life"
"This woodland group is a very important part of my week and has helped me build the emotional and psychological foundation to move forward after a life of childhood and then marital abuse. I have learnt to come to terms with what’s happened and how I can begin to improve mine and my children’s futures. My confidence was shattered and my anxiety was out of control but the creativity and meeting other women, over time, has helped me handle these issues. It’s a wonderful holistic medicine for me where I am learning to laugh and enjoy life again. I am forever grateful that I have this opportunity to improve and connect to nature with similar women, the benefits of this weekly gathering are priceless because I’ve found it to be so good in regulating my mental, emotional and physical health."
"Our leaders teach us something new every week and connecting to nature helps me feel I can manage whatever life is throwing at me. We’ve learned that nature and the seasons can reflect our feelings and emotions. Being outside is good for my health too."
"The group has definitely has helped to reduce isolation, before coming to the group, due to my health difficulties I found myself isolating more & more from others. This group has allowed me to get out with others as the group is very accepting, understanding & non judgemental, even if you are having a difficult day."
Please help us to raise money to continue to offer this group and to reach more women who are impacted by trauma and poor mental health.
Poem - Springtime in the woods
by S March 2025 ( attendee of the group)
I love the Spring,
Can you hear the birds sing,
Chiff Chaff some go,
I am in my spiritual place,
I am feeling safe,
leaving negativity behind,
Take postivity of being kind,
I feel the earth on my feet,
What a blessed treat,
I watch the horses passing by,
And admiring the view,
I am one with nature,
My mind is feeling pure,
Mood is lifting me,
I'm feeling sleepy,
Calm and relaxed,
Right where I'm sat,
I'm grateful,
Feeling full.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made