A free counselling service for young people and adults combining the benefits of spending time in nature and professional therapy.
Venture Trust’s Outdoor Therapy service
The service aims to support people by combining the full range of benefits from time in nature and the outdoors with professional therapy to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Outdoor Therapy is delivered in urban outdoor and green spaces such as parks, community gardens, woodlands, beaches or local hills. It can help people gain perspective and reflect on past or current life events that are troubling. Metaphors offered by nature may develop into insight on feelings, relationships and experiences.
Individuals access greenspaces and experience the grounding benefits of nature, which clears a busy mind and brings feelings of calm and stability for people who regularly experience high levels of stress and chaos at home. In this way nature offers an opportunity for reflection that can be utilised within therapy practice.
This will be delivered by our team of dedicated and qualified therapists, including trainee therapists where appropriate. For many people, outdoor therapy may be more suitable than traditional therapeutic settings. Participants can connect with nature in their local areas building a connection to place and community. Our team have specialist knowledge and are experienced in working outdoors with the issues facing our clients.
These include, but are not limited to:
- poor mental health and emotional wellbeing
- violence and aggression
- depression
- relationship and family difficulties
- anxiety and stress
- grief and trauma
- loneliness and social isolation
- problem substance use
We believe in the child's right to express their opinions and be listened to.
Read our Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment here.
Note: Venture Trust does not currently work with registered sex offenders or those subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).
Read our Outdoor Therapy Impact Report 2021-22 here.
Click to open and download our Outdoor Therapy Digital Leaflet.
East & Central
Locations: Fife.
Age range: Young People (10-24) (Or, up to 26 if care-experienced).
Wait time: 3-6 months.
We have currently had to pause accepting referrals from East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian due to exceptionally high numbers being referred to the service, we hope to review this situation in 2025.
West
Locations: East Ayrshire, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.
Age range: People of any age (16+).
Wait time: 6-12 months.
Who outdoor therapy is for: It may be particularly appropriate for people who have sought support through traditional statutory therapeutic services (GP’s; CAMHS/community psychiatric services; other counselling; psychotherapy; CBT etc.) but have not been able to make the changes they were hoping for or were unable to gain access to services.
This is not a crisis service. If someone is suffering from an acute mental health crisis, please read Our Immediate Help guide for advice on how best to seek immediate support.
| Venture Trust Hub | Area | Hub Coordinator Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Therapy | East Ayrshire, Fife, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. | therapy@venturetrust.org.uk |
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