Roots to Wellbeing FAQs

We encourage people to walk or use public transport to attend our sessions. However, we appreciate this isn’t always an option for a variety of reasons. So, we can provide transport free of charge to and from our sessions at all of our sites.

Our 18-week programmes run every week in 6-week blocks. We then pause delivery for a week and during this time, we will contact participants via phone in order to have an in-depth 1:1 check-in where we can offer signposting and referral support. Participants are welcome to join ‘mid-block’.

Our 4-week courses run every week for 4 weeks. We offer a comprehensive triage before the start of courses to establish your reasons for taking part and what you are hoping to get out of the course. We then offer an in-depth 1:1 call after the course to discuss progression routes or other suitable onward options.

Each session is delivered by two people: one mental health lead who has a qualification and extensive experience support people with mental health difficulties and one nature lead, who has knowledge and expertise in gardening and biodiversity.

The team is made up of Sara, Hope, Kat, Claire, Joe, Sam & Rachel.

Once you have filled in our form, the mental health lead for your site with contact you by phone within 14 days. The purpose of this call is to introduce ourselves, answer any questions you have and find out a little bit more about you to ensure we support you in the best and safest way possible.

No! We want to support everyone to experience the benefits of being in nature. So, we encourage you to attend even if you have difficulties with your mobility. However, our sessions do sometimes include a short walk or kneeling down to plant or weed. If you are concerned about your ability to participate, please send an email to roots@yourpark.org.uk or call us on 07510659215 and we will be happy to discuss this with you.

18-week programmes:

Not at all. We understand that ‘ups and downs’ happen. This is ok. We will check in with participants each week via text or phone and people will always be welcome to start attending sessions again when they are ready.

4-week courses:

As these are short courses, we hope that you will be able to attend every session in order to get the most from your course. Of course, we know that ‘ups and downs’ happen and that people will occasionally have to miss a session – just let us know if you can’t attend.

Yes! Please bring whoever will make you feel most comfortable.

It is totally normal to be anxious before starting something new. We are happy to chat with you on the phone every week to help you build up the confidence to attend.

Yes! We will run sessions in all weathers unless it is deemed unsafe.

The sessions start or end with Lunch, this is free and included in the offer. We also begin with a peer-support check-in, where people can share how they are feeling if they would like. Then we do a gardening or craft activity that is different every week and explores a different way to connect with nature. We finish with a meditation.

We understand that it is quite nerve-wracking attending a new group. We ask people to sign up so that we can ensure we support everyone in the best and safest way possible. However, feel free to email roots@yourpark.org.uk or call us on 07510659215 and we will be happy to discuss this with you.

Yes, our group follows the evidenced-based five pathways to nature connectedness. Please visit the University of Derby Website to find out more.

Not at all! Our group is for anyone who is feeling low, isolated or lonely and would like to find more connection.