This course is perfect for people who love being in nature and want to learn more about how nature supports us to feel well. You’ll learn about ‘eco-psychology’ and how being in nature benefits our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. In every session, you’ll have the chance to try out simple, fun and creative activities that help you to connect more deeply to nature, so that you benefit from your time outdoors. You’ll also learn how to keep your own nature-based practice going to help you continue to feel well and deepen your connection to nature.

Our course is based on the NatureWell Approach, which was developed by the Natural Academy. It is based on nature connection research carried out by the University of Derby. It’s a six-part course, with sessions designed around the Five Pathways to Nature & Wellbeing.

We’re offering this free course through Coleg Menai’s Potensial (Lifelong Learning) Programme.

Your team for the course

Caroline is a NatureWell facilitator and has trained over three years as an Eco-Psychology & Nature-Based practitioner. Her background is in supporting people with mental health conditions, disabilities, and neurodiversity within educational and charitable organisations.

Mia is a qualified Mountain Leader, NatureWell facilitator, and holder of the Rescue Emergency Care (REC) Outdoor First Aid certificate. Her background is in delivering training to corporate, government and charitable bodies.

Themes & Dates

NatureWell Part 1: Sensing Nature 

Thursday 18 July, 1.30-3.30 pm

Join us to learn Nature-Based Mindfulness and other simple yet powerful ways to let nature to soothe and support you. Our modern lives can be full and busy, which puts a strain on our nervous system. This is why we need nature-based ways to move from stress and exhaustion to feeling calm and energised. It’s a fact that time out in nature helps you feel well, and by using nature-based practices, you can enhance this effect.

In this session, we’ll focus on our sensory connection with nature: it’s all about slowing down and tuning in to nature, just like our ancestors did. By the end of the workshop, you’ll know how to apply sensory connection and nature-based practices to your everyday life. This will support your continued journey to a deeper nature connection – and a calmer, happier life.

Please arrive 15 minutes early to this first session so that we can check your enrolment status.

NatureWell Part 2: Connecting with Beauty

Thursday 25 July, 1.30-3.30 pm

Bring more joy and gratitude into your everyday life by opening up to the beauty in nature! Join us and learn how to channel these positive feelings into your everyday wellbeing.

Beauty is a powerful force that is all around us in the natural world. It helps us to bring joy into our lives to sustain and encourage us even in hard times. In this workshop, we’ll fully absorb ourselves in our love of beauty in nature. You’ll also learn techniques that you can use in your everyday life to channel the joy and wholeness that come from immersing yourself in beauty.

NatureWell Part 3: Resetting your Emotions in Nature

Thursday 1 August, 1.30-3.30 pm

Ever feel stuck or overwhelmed? In this workshop, you'll learn how nature can help you bring a healthy flow into your emotional life.

Nature helps us regulate our emotional states in a healthy, natural way. Join us to explore how nature supports us to fully experience whatever is present for us, and how you can reset your nervous system when you need to. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have learned and practiced things you can do at home to soothe, calm and invigorate yourself.

NatureWell Part 4: Care and Compassion in Nature

Thursday 8 August, 1.30-3.30 pm

Experience the remarkable power of compassion through nature connection and how it transforms your wellbeing. Join us for a workshop in which you’ll learn how to bring nature-based compassion into your daily life.

Nature can be like a good friend who offers us a safe and non-judgmental place to be. We’ll explore how our fragilities can resonate with that which is vulnerable within nature, and how we can use this to care for ourselves and the wider natural world as one. By the end of the workshop, you’ll know how to apply nature-based compassion practices to bring more peace and nurturing into your everyday life.

NatureWell Part 5: Following Nature’s Cycles & Seasons

Thursday 15 August, 1.30-3.30 pm

Want to find greater peace and purpose by aligning to the cycles and seasons of life? Join us to learn simple ways to stay in tune with the rhythm of the natural world.

We will explore meaning and the magic in nature, and we’ll share some ways for you to feel more deeply rooted in the Earth. By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to use simple rituals in your daily life to stay meaningfully connected to the greater cycle of life.

What to expect on the day

Each session will run for 2 hours, and we’ll spend time both indoors and outdoors. Our nature connection activities will be outdoors unless the weather is very poor. Please bring your own water, thermos and snacks.

Please arrive 15 minutes before the first session in case there are any issues with your enrolment form.

Venue

Coleg Menai Caernarfon Campus, Y Maes / Castle Square, Caernarfon, LL55 2NN

The campus is a five-minute walk from several bus stops. Please check with Traws Cymru for bus times.

The building and room number will be provided once you’ve booked your place.

What to bring

The weather in North Wales can be quite variable. For your comfort and safety, we ask you to bring the following items:

• Sturdy, comfortable footwear with good traction and ankle support, ideally waterproof
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Warm fleece or jumper (not cotton)
• Warm hat and gloves
• Jacket or windbreaker (depending on the weather)
• Snacks (if these aren’t in reusable packaging, please bring a bag for your rubbish)
• Any medication that you require
• Walking poles if you want extra support on uneven ground

Photos and feedback

We’d like your permission to use your photos and feedback on the day for marketing purposes, including on social media. It’s easy to refuse either while booking or on the day.

How to enrol

When you register with us, we will pass your name and postal address to Coleg Menai. They will post an enrolment form to your address. You’ll need to fill this in and send it back to Coleg Menai in order to claim your free place.

Questions?

Please contact us or call Caroline at 07890 992576.

Need help?

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Photo credit Sean Stratton on Unsplash.