Here at The Wildlife Trust we know just how powerful regular contact with nature can be, and during these difficult times we are sure that many individuals will be in need of some extra support with their mental health and wellbeing.

That’s why we're proud to be offering a way to do just that with our free virtual ecotherapy sessions, connecting with nature to help us feel happier and healthier.

Our innovative Myplace ecotherapy project has been running successfully in partnership with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust since 2016. In that time we have supported over 1,000 individuals to learn new skills, find new employment, make new friends, find new confidence and build their resilience - all in a friendly and relaxed environment.

Rhoda Wilkinson, Myplace Manager, says:

“Usually, we encourage our participants to put their phones and laptops to one side and to embrace the full benefits of being out in nature. We might take a wildlife walk or learn how to safely light a campfire. Learning things, creating things, spending quality time outside; these are all proven ways of supporting our mental health and what our Myplace project is all about.

"Whilst our normal way of working has had to be paused for the time being, we are still able to offer many of those skills and opportunities to connect with nature and offer some much needed solace and support to local communities with our new online offer.”

How do these new online Myplace sessions work?

Online Myplace sessions are open to anyone aged 16 or over and are completely free. The sessions will run once a week, lasting an hour and half. Every session is delivered by experienced Myplace staff who are fully trained to provide a safe, nurturing environment. We make sure the groups are very friendly and supportive and will have no more than eight participants in a session at one time.

To conduct our online ecotherapy sessions, we use an online platform called 'GoToMeeting'. Participants do not have to have their camera or microphone on if they don’t want to be seen or heard. It’s a gentle, safe way to connect with people who may be in a similar situation to you, to learn new skills and to improve your wellbeing. 

Read our FAQ's

Interested?

If you think you or someone you know might benefit from these online sessions, please visit our webpage where you will be able to complete our self-referral form or contact a member of the team with any further questions you may have about Myplace or our online sessions.

Find out more or make a referral 

Myplace is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund through Reaching Communities England, Our Bright Future and the European Social Fund, through the More Positive Together Programme.

Some of the activities we have been getting up to