Feel Good in the Forest is a supportive programme of activities for people with mild-to-moderate health conditions, or who are looking to improve their health and wellbeing, to meet new people and enjoy being outdoors. People can self-refer or be referred by a social prescribing link worker or support organisation. We were delighted to be one of three projects shortlisted for the Best Nature Based Social Prescribing Project in the International Social Prescribing Awards 2024.
Read on to discover more about the programme and where activities are currently taking place.
About Feel Good in the Forest
Feel Good in the Forest helps people to be more active, boost their resilience, find restoration and connection with nature, and feel empowered and included. We develop the activities with local communities meaning the offer at different sites varies. All activities are supportive, sociable and free or low-cost. Find details of your nearest Feel Good in the Forest programme below.
Feel good for individuals
Feel Good in the Forest is open to any individual with mild-to-moderate health conditions or who is looking to improve their health and wellbeing. You can self-refer or be referred by a support worker. Contact your local site for more information using the details below.
Feel good for groups
If you work for an organisation or are part of a community group, you may prefer to join us for a closed session with your group members only. These sessions are free and we’ll design them with you. Get in touch with your nearest site using the details below.
Feel good for health professionals and community workers
We’re working with health and social care staff and community workers to improve access to the wellbeing benefits of forests for everyone. We’re currently offering taster and networking days for professionals involved in social prescribing and we’re keen to work with you to create new interventions including ‘forest champion’ volunteering roles, ‘forest prescriptions’ and new programmes of supported activities in our forests. To find out more, contact Ellen Devine or Tim Braund by emailing feelgood@forestryengland.uk
Feel Good in the Forest locations and contacts
If you’re interested in finding out more about the programme and the activities on offer, please contact the Active Forests Coordinator at the site you are attending.
Chopwell Wood
Chopwell Wood is about 10 miles south west of Gateshead.
Lucy Brenkley is the Active Forests Coordinator for Chopwell. Contact her on 07771 885084 or lucy.brenkley@forestryengland.uk
Thames Chase
Forestry England manages 10 community woodlands in the outer London Borough of Havering and in Thurrock, Essex (Bonnetts Wood, Berwick Glades, Cely Woods, Harold Court Woods, Folkes Lane, Ingrebourne Hill, Mardyke Woods, Pages Wood, Thames Chase Forest Centre, and Tylers Wood).
Georgina Bunner is the Active Forests Co-ordinator for Thames Chase sites. Contact her on 07775 019588 or georgina.bunner@forestryengland.uk
The National Forest
Forestry England manage 17 woodlands across the National Forest in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
Our Feel Good in the Forest hub sites are Hicks Lodge near Ashby de la Zouch & Sence Valley in Ibstock.
Callum Smith is the Active Forests Co-ordinator for National Forest sites. Contact him on 07901 008142 or info_nationalforest@forestryengland.uk
Guisborough Forest
Guisborough Forest is about 8 miles south-east of Middlesborough.
Lorna Routledge is the Active Forests Co-ordinator for Guisborough Forest. Contact her on 07570 246912 or lorna.routledge@forestryengland.uk
Reconnecting under the canopy
Get a taste for what Feel Good in the Forest is all about by watching the video below.
Hear from Feel Good in the Forest participants
Forests provide an inspiring environment for a whole range of activities for people of all abilities and really will leave you ‘feeling good in the forest’! But don’t just take our word for it...
Read Lorraine's story to hear how she improved her physical and mental health by taking part in forest-based activities.
And find out from a participant at Chopwell Wood how she used the weekly walks to help her get back to 'normal' after shielding throughout the pandemic.
