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Better Through Nature
A six week pilot programme
in partnership with Frome Medical Practice.
Improving mental wellbeing through nature connection
A six-week course for people with anxiety, depression or burnout.
This programme offers a gentle, supportive and confidential space where you can take things at your own pace, without pressure or judgement. Grounded in research, it explores how connecting with nature can support mental and physical wellbeing.
To help you feel safe and comfortable, we will meet you for a short 1-to-1 chat at the medical practice before the course begins. Sessions take place in the familiar park behind the practice, with private access to the orchard. On the first day we meet outside the practice and walk over together. The group stays the same each week, so there is no pressure to keep meeting new people.
Over six weeks, you will learn simple, practical ways to use nature connection to help manage stress, restore energy, and cope with life’s ups and downs. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Is it for me?
I am registered at Frome Medical Practice
I want to feel happier
I get stressed and anxious
I need some 'time-out'
I want a better balance in my life
l'd like to feel more confident about getting out in nature
I want tools and resources to help me better support my mental health with nature
What our participants say:
"I feel calmer overall and like I have more of a path forward. I can see how many things in my life are improved when I spend more time in nature and around lovely people."
"It was something to look forward to each week, like a rock I could cling onto. I felt part of something. It taught me ways to be mindful in nature. I felt safe and supported."
"l found it very helpful meeting people in a similar situation. Tom and Babs made me feel welcome and relaxed and you’re under no pressure to do anything you don’t want to do."
"It helped me slow down and pay attention to the small things around me in nature and refocus my thoughts. It was really good at helping me tune out the noise clutter in my head.."
When is the next course?
Spring 2026
Starts Thursday 23rd April
Ends Thursday 4th June
(No session on Thurs 28th May)
Each session runs from 9.45am - 12.45pm
Where?
In session 1, we will meet outside the Frome Medical Practice and then move out to the show field and orchard areas behind the medical practice (weather permitting).
How Do I Enrol?
Before you make contact to express interest in the course, please make sure that you are available for all six sessions outlined above.
One week's absence is okay but this cannot be week one.
You can then fill out the short form here or email Tom & Barbara at Better Nature CIC at betternaturecic@gmail.com to register your interest and book a half hour slot to have a chat. This chat can be in person at the Frome Medical Practice, online through Zoom or on the phone.
During the chat we will ask you a few questions to learn a little more about you and to ensure your suitability for this program. As this is a pilot, we can only admit people who meet the criteria fro the program.We will tell you more about what to expect from the program and answer any questions that you may have. If we find that you are not suitable for this course, we will do our best to signpost you to projects or interventions which fit better with your needs.
More information about nature connection
There are particular ways that we can mindfully interact with nature which are different from how we might be when going for a walk, or sitting in the park or garden. These methods are known as ‘the five pathways to nature connection’ and recent studies by Derby University have found that connecting with nature in this way has a positive effect on people suffering with anxiety, depression and burnout. This pilot program is based on these proven pathways.
It is the hope of Better Nature Ecotherapy CIC and Frome Medical Practice that these pilot courses will pave the way towards mindful nature connection being available to people all over the country as a proven and effective way to improve mental wellbeing.
Evaluation report 2023 - 2025 Better Through Nature Pilot
