Recovery in Nature

The land is managed to benefit biodiversity and provide a tranquil setting in which residents may be inspired to make positive changes in their lives. The site supports an array of wildlife, biological surveys have recorded 19 different species of butterfly, 32 bird species and several protected reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

At the beginning of 2019 the charity developed a new horticulture project. The programme has since developed and grown into something much broader. Its purpose is to augment and enhance the therapy available to residents through first-hand contact with nature and time spent in greenspace. The gardens and wildlife areas at Bosence enable our residents to access beautiful outdoor spaces and provide them with the opportunity to engage with work in the gardens and to participate in therapeutic nature-based workshops.

“Small changes in your daily life can have a big impact on your future health and wellbeing” (NHS’ Healthier Together campaign). Using the Five Ways to Wellbeing as the basis of what we do, we encourage you to take part in our sessions whether it is a physical activity such as weeding or planting, learning about the benefits of different herbs, looking at flowers under a microscope or going for a walk around our lovely site on a Nature Hunt.

Our programme is designed to enable you to take ownership of activities in the natural environment. Participation can help reinforce patterns of replacement behaviour. This is based on the idea that you can’t just take away a behaviour like addictive substance misuse without providing an alternative. Sessions can help you recover in many ways; they can help improve both your mental and physical health and increase both self-esteem and self-confidence, enhancing personal belief in the ability to change.

The therapeutic horticulture element involves working with plants to improve your physical and mental health. Sessions are run in the garden, a safe and secure place in which to develop both practical and social skills. Horticultural sessions provide the opportunity to acquire new skills and learn more about nature and the environment.

Sessions are held four times a week. Activities include

• Campfires
• Nature Hunts
• Learning about herbal teas
• Sowing seeds
• Nature art
• Pond dipping
• Botany
• Nature observation

Why We Do What We Do

Research on the benefits of spending time in nature shows it can help improve our mental and physical health in many ways. This includes helping with:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Fitness
• Immunity

The Research Bit

A substantial body of research demonstrates that we feel better when we have regular contact with nature. Research developed in the 1980s, attention restoration theory (ART), asserts that people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature. The research showed that people who experience high levels of stress and anxiety show very different behaviours in a health care setting such as a hospital compared to when they are in a garden.

The Government’s ‘Mental capital and wellbeing’ report from 2008 considered how to improve everyone’s mental capital and wellbeing. Evidence suggests that a small improvement in wellbeing can help to decrease mental health problems and help people to flourish. These five steps to improve personal wellbeing have been researched and developed by the New Economics Foundation (NEF)

• connect
• be active
• take notice
• keep learning
• give

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities says that ‘there is a very significant and strong body of evidence linking contact and exposure to the natural environment with improved health and wellbeing’. Similarly, DEFRA states that ‘spending time in the natural environment improves our mental health and feelings of wellbeing. It can reduce stress, fatigue, anxiety and depression… boost immune systems… and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as asthma. It can also help combat loneliness and bind communities together’. Stated simply, the literature shows that the closer we get to nature, the happier we are, and the more worthwhile life seems. Simply noticing the good things in nature each day for a week brings sustained and clinically significant improvements in mental health.

Take a 3D virtual tour of the Eco Therapy & Horticulture Project.

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Client Testimonials

“The Ecotherapy project at Bosence has provided me with a number of new experiences and opportunities. In the last few weeks I’ve acquired the skills to identify a variety of the different types of herbs. Through education sessions, I’ve also gained knowledge on how to combine, prepare and cook different types of tea. Since the start of my treatment, I’ve regularly been involved with the planting and harvesting of fruit and vegetables. In particular, I’ve enjoyed taking part in ‘Vegan Friday’, where I have learnt new recipes, and prepared several dishes using only the produce grown onsite. When I complete treatment, I will definitely continue to cook these recipes as regularly as I can”

Holly, from Cornwall

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“One of the main reasons why I choose Bosence, is because I wanted to come somewhere where I could get away from things. At Bosence, I feel completely removed from temptation, it is the perfect environment for me to be able to focus on my treatment and concentrate on getting well. I’ve really enjoyed the guided nature walks around the nature trail, where I have been able to take part in wildlife surveys, to identify a range of species. In the mornings I’ll often take a walk around the grounds, just to admire the scenery and breathe in the country air”. Bosence has so much to offer, and I’ve learnt so much. I’ve been given responsibility to look after the greenhouses, which I really appreciate as it’s my way of giving back and contributing to the day to day running of Bosence”.

Nick, from London