SERVICE DETAILS
Branching Out is a programme of therapeutic activities in woodlands, pioneered by the Forestry Commission Scotland, working with mental health patients referred by medical practitioners, using interaction with woodlands to improve mental health and well-being.
Following the success of a pilot programme carried out in the West of Scotland in 2008, which achieved demonstrable improvements to mental health amongst participants, the Forestry Commission Scotland worked in partnership with ELGT to launch Branching Out in the Lothians. ELGT staff work with referred patients, delivering activities in woodlands, including green exercise, environmental arts and crafts, conservation activities and woodland guided walks to explore local community woodlands and learn about native animals and birds.
Forestry Commission Scotland Branching Out Programme
The programme is designed to work with individuals, to help improve factors such as self esteem and confidence, and the pilot programme has achieved a 75% retention rate amongst referred patients.
The programmes run for 12 weeks where the participants gain positive proven health benefits through a regular experience of being in a woodland setting. It enables the participants to learn new transferable skills and develop a sense of the environment and its importance for well being. At the end of the course they receive the John Muir Award.
We have received funding from Scottish Forestry and NHS Lothian to run our latest programmes.
For further information, please get in touch.
