People are flocking to Brockholes for their mental health – and nature is the prescription. 

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside has its own Nature and Wellbeing Service.

For the last eight years it has helped thousands of people to learn new skills, work on their wellbeing and for many – crucially – access support quickly when NHS waiting lists have been long. 

Small groups meet weekly and are introduced to a range of different activities, many of which are brand new skills.

Whether it’s lighting a fire, helping the Trust with conservation tasks like raking meadows, or learning new ways to connect deeply with nature, the fulfilling sessions appeal to many people in a way that other mental health support doesn’t.

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Kennedy, who joined sessions after suffering from burnout in his job, said: “I didn’t know how much I had in common with nature until I experienced the group sessions at Brockholes.”

Another participant said: “I am slowly getting some of my confidence back and feel even when the course ends, I will keep enjoying nature as it is making me feel better.”

The offering is thanks to the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund through Preston City Council.

The latest sessions are designed to help people who may not be eligible for other types of help.

Those attending the Job Centre but with no requirement to work are welcome to refer into sessions if they live in Preston City Council’s tax area and are 25 or over – along with stay-at-home parents, people with long-term sickness, full-time carers and students.

The sessions are completely free and the Trust even reimburses travel expenses up to £8.

To find out more, visit The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside website.

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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.