Woods project to improve wellbeing

Young homeless people have been taking part in woodland activities designed to improve their mental health, as part of a new initiative.

The group were invited to Shire Brook Valley Nature Reserve to listen to Sheffield City Council ranger Nick Blood explain how to coppice hazel trees, and why this is important. 

Sue Pitt, Wellbeing in the Woods Project Manager for ITF said: After just one session it is clear how much impact this project is likely to have on the lives of young people.

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“It was fantastic to see how they overcame their initial doubts and got so involved in the important job of caring for woodland.

“They were rightly proud of what they had achieved and it was wonderful to see such an improvement in their mood and their confidence at the end of the day.”

The project, called ‘Wellbeing in the Woods’, has been launched by the International Tree Foundation (ITF) and aims to help young homeless people aged 16 to 24 enjoy some of the most beautiful woods in the city.

The organisation have planned 11 further sessions in woodlands in and around Sheffield throughout 2019. They are also working with charities Sheffield Foyer, Roundabout and Cherry Tree Support Services, who all work to help young homeless people.

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Another session is planned at Greno Woods, where participants will learn shelter building and survival skills with Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust.

A series of sessions will also take place at Newfield Spring Wood where participants will learn how to make use of the wood produced by coppicing.

To find out more information, please call Sue on 07910011558 or e-mail [email protected].

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