‘In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.’ John Muir.

Background Ecotherapy is a formal type of therapeutic treatment which involves doing outdoor activities in nature. There are many types of ecotherapy, but activities are often structured and led by therapists or professionals and take place in a green environment and provide the opportunity to explore and experience the natural world.

Aim At Compton Care, despite being located next to a city, we are surrounded by some beautiful green spaces which we wanted to utilise and enjoy. We have been utilising Ecotherapy in several ways, supporting our clients to connect with nature. Research suggests that interventions within nature can improve wellbeing outcomes (Cleary, Dean, Pollock, et al. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 2022; 20(5):1344–1352).

Method We commenced two options for clients, dependent on their needs; counselling takes place on a one-to-one basis while walking or our walk and talk group meets monthly and encourages a more peer support model within nature. Led by both counsellors and trained volunteers, these options form part of a suite of bereavement options that clients can choose to meet their needs, providing a truly individual approach to bereavement and therapeutic support.

Results The benefits have been so far positive, with improvements in Core-10 scores and feedback from attendees, staff and volunteers.

Conclusion The groups and sessions are continuing and due to the positive impact have been expanded to include staff wellbeing with 1:1 and supervision sessions being undertaken whilst walking in nature and the inclusion of information about local walks from relatives visiting on the inpatient unit in our inpatient welcome packs and on our website.