As part of our celebration of World Mental Health Day, we’re sharing the story of a recent Walking for Wellness session enjoyed by members from our Botton Village and Larchfield communities in the stunning surroundings of Guisborough Forest.
The walk was led by Sean, a neurodivergent specialist, who described the morning as “a true sense of calm, connection and community.”
“In a tranquil woodland clearing, we slowed our pace to focus on breathing, the rustle of leaves and birdsong. After a ‘breathtaking’ ascent to the summit, we rested, shared poetry and even hugged a few trees! It was grounding, calming and full of joy.”
The wellbeing benefits of nature
Research — including Natural England’s “Included Outside: Engaging people living with disabilities in nature” report — shows that people with learning disabilities often face additional barriers to accessing nature. These can include limited transport, lack of accessible trails, or insufficient support.
Yet, time outdoors is proven to improve mental and physical wellbeing. Being in nature reduces stress, boosts mood, strengthens the immune system, and improves focus and creativity. For people with learning disabilities, these benefits can be especially important.
That’s why at Camphill Village Trust we actively encourage everyone we support to spend time outdoors. Our communities are surrounded by countryside, gardens and green spaces, and we work to integrate nature into everyday life, through our Nature-based Therapies and Skills Programmes, and activities spent outside.
Walking for Wellness in action
Our Walking for Wellness sessions are one example of this approach. They create opportunities for people to get active, enjoy companionship, and connect with the world around them. They also remind us that nature isn’t an optional extra — it’s essential to wellbeing.
“We all agreed that we were better for the event, which emphasised the need to place wellness as a necessity — and certainly not a luxury,” Sean reflected.
Our ethos — nature at the heart of what we do
At Camphill Village Trust, our ethos has always been rooted in nature. We believe the outdoors should be part of everyday life — for activity, creativity, relaxation and connection. This walk is a wonderful example of how we put this belief into practice, recognising the proven benefits nature brings to wellbeing — and ensuring people of all abilities have the chance to thrive, live well and build strong, connected communities.
