About Circle of Life Rediscovery
Did you know that the financial costs of the adverse effects of mental illness on people’s quality of life are estimated at £41.8 billion per year in England?
As if that’s not enough, 25% of boys and 33% of girls aged between two and nineteen are overweight?
Astonishing, isn’t it?
And yet, deep down, we know this advice to be true. We can solve a great deal of our mental and physical health problems by simply going outdoors. Because spending time outdoors is good for our health.
In fact, research tells us spending time outdoors and in nature relieves problems associated with mental health, including anxiety, stress and depression.
Moreover, spending time outside raises vitamin D levels, which helps protect us from bone problems, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues.
Read more about the Benefits of Nature.
What it means is this
To build a healthy society, we must give people opportunities to be outdoors, to understand nature and interact with it.
Before I go any further, I must make another point.
We humans need to place a greater value on nature.
Because we know the earth and all the species are under threat from non-regenerative and disconnected human behaviour.
For this reason, we have a significant care-taking role. A responsibility we need to embrace. Because all children now and in the future have a right to inherit a healthy natural world.
So what’s the answer?
Work with experienced pioneers in nature-based practice
Since 2007, Circle of Life Rediscovery has taught teachers, health professionals and outdoor practitioners skills to take educational and therapeutic programmes outdoors.
We do this by sharing our knowledge and skills of nature-based practice through training courses and outdoor learning CPD programmes.
At the same time, we provide nature-centred learning and therapeutic experiences for young people, adults and families in our stunning Sussex woodland site.
Elsewhere, we collaboratively work with like-minded partners to provide nature-based experiences that benefit mental and physical wellbeing.
Our credentials
Founded by Managing Director and author Marina Robb, we are an award-winning Community Interest Company. What’s more, we’re:
- An approved East Sussex Outdoor Centre
- Recognised Centre of the Open College Network West Midlands Region
- John Muir Award Provider at Discovery and Explorer Level
Our Awards
- Winner of the ITV People’s Project competition (Family Disability and Mental Health Project) 2017
- SPARK Environmental Achievement Award 2016
- Sussex Partnership Positive Practice Award 2015
- Highly recommended status at the National Innovation in Child, Adolescent and Young People’s Mental Health Awards 2017
- Innovation and Excellence Award: Therapeutic Services Provider of the Year 2021
Our three pillars of nature-based practice
A healthy natural environment is an essential foundation for healthy human societies. Circle of Life Rediscovery is part of a worldwide movement to enable positive change.
Because mentally and physically sound people contribute to a healthy environment and community
We teach children to care for the environment so that they become the stewards of tomorrow.
But that’s not the end of our story
Over the last five years, we’ve reached over 2000 young and disadvantaged people and families across our programmes.
Indeed, our flagship projects, Call of the Wild and Earthwise, have raised over £160,000 towards creating outdoor opportunities for the most disadvantaged groups in our society.
Now it’s your turn
I’m guessing you chose your career path because you want to help others.
We’d love to show you how to accomplish something meaningful by employing your skills in an outdoor setting.
Teachers: Do you want to inspire curiosity and lead a class of happy and motivated pupils?
Healthcare professionals: Do you want to improve your patients’ physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing?
Outdoor practitioners: Need confidence, inspiration, and a bag of tools and activities you can use to engage group participants?
We can help you with that.
We can give you the training you need to apply nature-based practice and outdoor learning to the curriculum and therapy sessions.
Because when you get the proper training, you’ll gain skills and confidence to take groups outdoors.
Most importantly, you’ll have the right skills to:
- Know how to plan and organise engaging sessions
- Adhere to health and safety requirements
- Get the insurance you need to take groups outdoors
But that’s not all. When you take yourself out of your work setting and into the outdoors, you’ll reap the physical and emotional benefits.
Explore our outdoor learning CPD courses and nature-based practice training courses
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And, keep up to date with useful information about the natural world and our courses.