Ecotherapy

Ecotherapy is the name we give to a series of free groups and activities which promote mental and physical wellbeing by building connections with nature and the outdoors. At St Nicks we offer a wonderful variety of group and activities which are underpinned by one-to one mentoring support. Groups are led by qualified and experienced tutors and are based at our Local Nature Reserve and other Green Corridor sites. If you are interested, we can also support you to become a volunteer by joining one of St Nicks award-winning volunteering schemes.

Year-round groups are Bearing Fruit, Willow Weaving, Discover Nature, Art-based Creative Writing, Words from the Wild, and Plot to Plate. Over the spring and summer months we also offer Wellies and Wheelbarrows, Making Tracks and Bushcraft! Find further details about all of our Ecotherapy groups and activities here.

If you would like to find out more or arrange an informal chat, contact the Ecotherapy team at ecotherapy@stnicks.org.uk

To find out more about the benefits of Ecotherapy at St Nicks, you can download our Impact Report for May 2021 – May 2022 and our Final Progress Report for May 2018- April 2023

Availability

Please note: We are now closed to general Ecotherapy referrals. 

However, we can still accept referrals for Making Tracks and Wellies and Wheelbarrows groups which will be starting in the new year. If these particular groups are of interest, please complete our online referral form.

For any enquiries, please contact ecotherapy@stnicks.org.uk

 

Scheduled Breaks

Please note that there will be a break in the delivery of ecotherapy groups, mentoring and assessments on the weeks commencing:

  • 7th April 2025
  • 26th May 2025
  • 21st July 2025
  • 25th Aug 2025
  • 27th Oct 2025
  • 22nd and 29th Dec 2025 
  • 16th Feb 2026

Partnerships

The Hub at 30 Clarence Street

We have worked alongside staff and volunteers at The Hub to deliver gardening sessions to create green space for all to enjoy. 

Foss Park Hospital

We work with the occupational therapy team at Foss Park to deliver gardening sessions to the patients to support their mental health and wellbeing.  

 

A black headed, orange chested bird with grey wings and a white belly sits in a tree with a blue backgroundActivities
Goldfinch on teasel at St Nicks IMG_3733aMentoring

"Walking through the gates of St Nicks is like walking into an oasis of acceptance and support. It brings a sense of calm and peace that only nature can provide."

The Ecotherapy project is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, with additional funding from York CVS and Global's Make Some Noise.

The National Lottery Community Fund logo index and centre fingers of a cartoon hand are crossed in the typical