Peer Groups

Our ‘Peer Groups’ offer a relaxed way to connect with nature and each other in a friendly, social and supportive environment.  

You can attend one peer group at a time, for up to 6-months, or the duration of the group (some may run on a more short-term basis).

See details on each group below by clicking the banners and read a bit more about what to expect from nature-based groups (click here).

Evergreen Arts

Evergreen Arts is our creative peer group - whether through drawing, painting, collage, origami, textiles, photography or writing, we will create playfully, with lots of experimentation (there is no right or wrong!). We will always look to inspiration from nature – this may be from going on walks around the nature reserve, sitting in the garden, or studying creations by other nature-based artists - as a starting point for our own work.

We will spend time creating individually in our journals, you can take these home with you and keep finding nature to inspire your creativity throughout the week. There will also be the option to collaborate as a group, creating pieces of artwork together, if we’d like to.

Weekly Tuesdays, 2pm-4pm (with occasional scheduled breaks), starting 9th June at St Nicks.

Care-ful Conservation

Care-ful Conservation is our practical conservation peer group. Together, the group will carry out conservation work on St Nicks local nature reserve, managing existing wildlife habitats and creating new ones, using heritage skills such as scything, pruning and hedge laying. Whether you are a complete beginner, or have more experience, the group welcomes all to get involved in conservation.

Weekly, day/time TBC (with occasional scheduled breaks), starting date TBC, at St Nicks.

Stepping Out

Stepping Out is our ‘walking in nature’ peer group. We’ll meet for seasonal walks, starting by going on walks around St Nicks local nature reserve, before venturing to different, accessible green spaces around York.
Our walks will take a gentle pace, with chances to sit down and take in the sights, sounds, smells and feelings of being out in nature.
We’ll have the opportunity to explore Green Corridors sites and projects, like the York Walls in Bloom, or visit other locations, such as Rowntree Park.

Current group:

  • Summer (8 weeks): Thursdays, 10:30am-12:30pm, starting 2nd July - first 4 walks at St Nicks, followed by 4 walks 'on location' (details TBC).

 

Future groups:

  • Autumn (7 weeks): day/time TBC, starting September 2026
  • Spring (7 weeks): day/time TBC, starting March 2027

What can I expect from Nature-Based Wellbeing groups?

We've put together some 'Frequently Asked Questions' to help you find out more on what to expect from group based support at St Nicks, like what's included in the sessions (and what's not).

Read our Frequently Asked Questions

red and black spotted ladybird on branch with textured bark in the sunlight