Men’s mental health coaches team up with nature group for new therapy technique

Pictures from the open day Pic: Shine Coaching

Lancashire based men’s mental health and wellbeing coaching company, Shine Coaching, have joined forces with nature based men’s group Wildwood days. Encouraging participants of the groups to get in touch with nature and enjoy benefits it can have for mental health.

They offer practical solutions to help reduce anger and conflict, factors that may affect mental health. They cater exclusively for men.

An open day was held on August 31st where everyone was welcomed to meet the team and get involved in an array of nature related activities.

Development worker, Caroline Schofield talked about how Shine Coaching has progressed from a mental health helpline to a nature centered group.

She said: “Shine coaching support men remotely by phone however one of the staff trained in eco psychology so we wanted to see if it was possible to run a group in nature. We then met Wildwood days who have a site in Brinscall and were already running mens groups, so Shine Coaching and Wildwood Days have teamed up to offer mens groups that focus on practical skills like woodworking and metal working but also sessions to relax, chat round a fire and find ways to feel well in nature.”

She continued: “Everyone at the groups are very friendly and supportive, everyone one is welcome. The groups are run by men who understand what it is like to struggle sometimes and no one judges anyone. They also have great cake and a laugh in a beautiful woodland around a fire.”

The mens groups run every Thursday and Friday, for more information call 07498 139284.

They are also offering ‘NatureWell’ training sessions. A free 6 day free training course for men who want to who wish to train as nature, health & wellbeing facilitators. It will take place in 2025 and places are expected to fill quickly.

For more information head to https://www.naturalacademy.org/naturewell/ or visit https://wildwooddays.co.uk/ for other nature related classes.

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