Somerset Nature and Wellbeing Opportunities | Somerset Wildlife Trust

Nature Connections group, outdoors, drawing

Somerset Nature and Wellbeing Opportunities

Get involved

Whether you live in the city, town or countryside, regular contact and connection with the natural world can have a meaningful impact on health and wellbeing. Here you can find local projects, initiatives and opportunities to take part in which are focused on improved mental and physical health and wellbeing. These are divided by area so you can find things going on near where you live. From taking part in practical conservation to mindfulness, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with here in Somerset. Watch the Somerset Local Nature Partnership’s short film to find out more about the benefits. All providers here are independently run (Somerset Wildlife Trust is not responsible for service provision).

Nature connections group

Somerset Nature Connections group image. Photo credit: Carolyn Savidge

Selection of edible plants growing in polytunnel

Bridgwater College Academy sowed a variety of edible seeds in their polytunnel and shared the produce they grew.

Community garden

Katrina Martin/2020VISION

plant species in front of fallen tree

Children taking part in pond dipping

Photo: Jon Barrett (Partner at Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme)

Mendip

Acorns and acorn leaves in a basket

Mendip

Better Nature Ecotherapy CIC

Therapeutic nature connection courses aimed at addressing mental health needs.

Common frog at Catcott Lows, Somerset

Froglife Somerset Green Pathways for Life

Helping people with dementia to connect with nature and wildlife.

A group of young people attending the Growing Happiness Community Allotment Project in Glastonbury

Growing Happiness

A Community Allotment Project run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Glastonbury.

Holly and Hawthorn Forest School

Forest School & Outdoor Education sessions for all ages including adult mental health courses/groups.

A group on a walk on the Mendips, crouching to identify flora.

Mendip Hills National Landscape

Conserving and enhancing Mendip Hills National Landscape, through volunteering and nature connection.

Close up of hiker's walking boots stomping across rocky ground

Mendip society

A programme of walks throughout Mendip coordinated by walk leaders - a chance to be outside, sociable and in nature.

A raised bed in a garden with vegetables growing

Roots Connections CIC

A community market garden working to end rural homelessness in Somerset.

The landscape at Shared Earth Learning

Shared Earth Learning

Forest School practitioners in Frome, Somerset. Adults, children and youths.

Historic cottage garden venue in the heart of Mells village, Somerset.

The Walled Garden at Mells

Horticultural therapy and nature based connection activities.

Bumble bee on an allium

Windsor Hill Wood

Community, residency, recovery, growing vegetables and contributing to a small woodland community.

Sedgemoor

Climbing at Kilve Court

Kilve Court

Holiday camps and day visits for children and young people, expressing the importance of learning outside of the classroom.

A short drop waterfall on the Quantock hills

Quantock Hills National Landscapes

Conserving and enhancing Quantock Hills National Landscape, through volunteering and nature connection.

Somerset-wide

St. Audries, Forestry England

Forestry England

Forestry England engage and facilitate the use of the public forest estate for communal, physical, mental health and well-being benefits.

Westfield Community Cafe, Bridgwater Therapeutic Group

Seed of Hope

Helping people experiencing mental health challenges through nature connection. Social and Therapeutic gardening groups.

Group walking through a field in Mendip

Somerset Health Walks SASP

Walks for well-being, from gentle, moderate to advanced. Helping you to feel good, have more energy, sleep better and manage weight.

Women rakes up cuttings as part of a volunteering session

Somerset Wildlife Trust

From events, to volunteering, to helping wildlife on your doorstep.

Group of young people doing an outdoor activity

Young Somerset

Somerset's primary youth charity, wellbeing activities.

South Somerset

Ark at Egwood, an intergenerational land-based day service for people of all ages, needs and abilities

Ark at Egwood

An intergenerational land-based day service for people of all ages, needs and abilities

Growing Space, Balsam Centre

Balsam Centre

Outdoor activities enabling people of all ages to improve or maintain good mental health (woodland, conservation, wildlife gardening)

Carymoor volunteers with an education group

Carymoor Environmental Centre

Offering a range of outdoor volunteering opportunities and events, helping to improve wildlife and connect with nature.

A horse and foal at Ferne Animal Sanctuary

Ferne Animal Sanctuary

An accessible walking route through a site with beautiful views. Opportunities to volunteer in the gardens or with animals.

Young man holding a chicken at Future Roots Farm

Future Roots Farm

Future Roots Farm offers opportunities to young people needing support and men who have lost their independence through health conditions.

A group of people sitting on the grass relaxing at Magdalen Farm

Magdalen Farm

Care Farm and environmental education centre.

Several people tending their flowers, Vanessa Gardening Group

Vanessa Gardening Project, Mind

Supporting people with their mental health using gardening as a means of therapy and providing an outdoor, inclusive, safe space.

Looking up into a tree canopy with blue skies

Wilder Woods

Woodland Wellbeing - Volunteering, conservation, maintenance and art activities, refreshments and lunch provided, donations welcome.

Taunton

Sunflower heads on a washing line, Badbury Flower Company Therapy Garden

Badbury Flower Company

Local Flower grower, florist and therapy garden - relaxed and friendly environment.

Blackdown Community Shed

Blackdown Healthy Living and Activity Centre

Charity that provides services to improve health in the community and help to reduce rural isolation.

Blackdown Hills

Blackdown Hills National Landscapes

Conserving and enhancing Blackdown Hills National Landscape, through volunteering and nature connection.

Swimmers at Folly Farmyard

Folly Farmyard

Thirty-four acre farm welcoming health and wellbeing visits and educational access.

Longrun Meadow

Friends of Longrun Meadow

Promoting and managing the meadow to increase biodiversity, ensuring access for all and support public events.

A meadow landscape with picnic basket

Honey Woods

Courses and events in natural spaces, from weaving to fire lighting, wild camping to family camping weekends.

A group from Greendays at Longmead Meadow

Longmead Environmental Action Project

A group of volunteers focussed on the flora and fauna of Longmead Meadow, making it more accessible to everyone.

Neroche Woodlanders working in the woodland

Neroche Woodlanders

Working with nature to improve people's lives, while making the woods richer for wildlife.

Forest School stock image

Park Farm Woodlands

Forest schools and special encounter groups in their woodland site and farm and approved Duke of Edinburgh providers.

A woman walking carrying lots of baskets at Satori

Satori

Fostering relationships between people and nature through crafts and land activities.

West Somerset

A sweeping landscape view over the Bristol Channel from Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park

Exmoor National Park provides learning opportunities, outreach, volunteering, family activities, guided walks and more.

A young person working in the woodland in a bright striped t-shirt

Field Studies Council at Nettlecombe

Field studies and environmental education centre which holds a range of courses, volunteering and local events.

Painting in the landscape with Simonsbath Hotel

West Somerset

Simonsbath House Hotel

Simonsbath is a hotel and outdoor education centre offering short breaks, focused activities and school residential and day visits.