Take the next step for your wellbeing
Learn more about our Wild Wellbeing Days and how they can help you find calm in nature.
By refreshing our sense of belonging in the world, we widen the web of relationships that nourish us and protect us from burnout.Active Hope
If you're feeling like you don't have the energy you used to for work, or that you don't care as much, and you're not doing as well at your job as you used to, then it could be that you're experiencing burnout.
Wild Wellbeing Days help people to find their work/life balance in beautiful natural surroundings, and draw on the years of experience of our Nature & Wellbeing officers.
We started running nature and wellbeing sessions at the community level back in 2016 with Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, and when professionals started to approach us for a workplace wellbeing offer, we responded with these days.
Each one is planned to fit the natural landscapes around us and help people to experience a natural way to wellbeing.
What is a Wild Wellbeing Day?
A Wild Wellbeing Day is an opportunity to hit pause.
We will guide you through beautiful local nature spots and you'll spend time with like-minded people, experiencing how nature can help you feel happier and less stressed.
We centre our Wild Wellbeing Days around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing in wild natural settings throughout the North West. Studies by the New Economics Foundation have shown that these 5 ways enhance well-being and have potential to reduce mental health disorders in the longer term.
So what are the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and how are they woven throughout our days...?
What does the day look like?
No two Wild Wellbeing Days are exactly the same, the activities you'll do during your particular day will depend on the location, the season and of course, the weather!
After meeting our staff, most of the days will start by getting gently active with a short walk where you'll begin to take notice and get a little closer to the environment around you.
Depending on where your day is, this could range from looking closely at and learning about the trees in an ancient woodland, or identifying the amazing wildlife on our shoreline.
The whole day will be packed with interesting things to learn - we can teach you how to light a campfire, how to identify and protect our native bee species, and even how to make your own spaces for nature at home.
You'll have an opportunity to connect with others over a warming lunch cooked on the campfire, reflecting on your day so far and the things you'll take away
During the day we’ll introduce some gentle mindfulness activities. These will be at a level designed to help you discover why nature can be so therapeutic - from chocolate meditation to body scanning it’s about learning what works for you and why.
Your Wild Wellbeing Day wouldn't be complete without helping the nature around you. You'll take part in a selection of conservation activities such as planting wildflower seed in a meadow, clearing some invasive plants or making bird feeders, so you can give back.
You'll leave your day feeling able to take the 5 ways to wellbeing into your daily life, and you'll get a handy guide to take home to remind you after your day out in the fresh air! We’ll also include some resources to help you carry on getting the most out of your local nature spots and your very own Wild Isle.
Once you're home you'll be feeling refreshed and ready for a good night's sleep.
Where are Wild Wellbeing Days held?
We have a range of locations across Lancashire and South Cumbria so you can take your pick - each of our locations is a little different, and they have a different levels of 'wildness' to suit everyone - from those who would prefer some creature comforts, to those who want to fully get away from it all and Ray Mears it up.
Our coastal sessions are held at a range of locations around the beautiful and nature-rich Morecambe Bay, delivered by The Bay: A blueprint for recovery.
If you'd like a Wild Wellbeing Day at a different location (anywhere else in Cumbria) or different date to those listed - please get in touch. We should be able to put something bespoke together for you.
If you require an accessible location, then we recommend our days at Brockholes Nature Reserve, Lancashire or Wyre Estuary Country Park, Lancashire where there are accessible facilities and the terrain is easier for those who are less mobile.
We're very grateful to Orsted for supporting our deliver of Wild Wellbeing Days in the Morecambe Bay area. In 2020 and 2021, Orsted provided funding for a limited number of businesses to receive a wellbeing day free of charge.
How much does a Wild Wellbeing Day cost?
£78.18 per person (£95pp including VAT).
If your team is larger than 15, we're happy to work with you to build a series of sessions to suit your business needs, just email wildwork@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk and we can work on a bespoke plan.
To check availability and to place a booking, please click the link below:
If you'd like to contact us before booking and find out more, please click here to email us at wildwork@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
We have discounts available for organisations from the Charity Sector, Community/Volunteer Sector, Public Sector and the NHS - drop us an email to wildwork@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk before booking and we'll send you a code.
All of our profits from these days goes right back into funding our Nature and Wellbeing service, allowing us to offer sessions to those in need. Our service has already helped over 3000 people in the North West since 2016, and demand for our sessions grows every year.
Did you know?
- Taking a positive, proactive approach to mental health at work can help you fully engage your staff, making them more receptive and productive.
- Developing a reputation for tackling wellbeing and looking after your staff will help you to retain existing and attract new employees.
- Being outside increases our activity levels and improves our physical health. It also boosts our social and psychological wellbeing by reducing stress and anxiety, increasing positivity and self-esteem.
Case studies - click the arrow to reveal them below.
Siemens
Over the past year, nearly 700 Siemens staff have taken part in the Wild Wellbeing Days programme across the country. Following their participation:
- 81% of employees reported increased mental wellbeing following their first day.
- 63% of participants felt that team spirit was better after their Wild Wellbeing Workdays.
The work they carried out helped to create a beautiful, safe and wildlife-rich natural environment for the benefit and use of local communities. For example, in Cumbria 300 kg of rubbish was collected from Foulney Island Nature Reserve, clearing areas and making it better for nesting birds and people alike. Staff also had the opportunity to learn more about the birds they were helping.
Costain
Over half of construction workers have suffered mental ill health in their lives, with one in four having considered taking their own life.
Recognising the need to support their staff, Costain decided to take part in the Wild Wellbeing Days, changing the pace of activity and tasks throughout the days from more strenuous directed activities such as raking meadows to mindfulness walks and meditation, and onto self-directed activities including bushcraft.
Every Costain employee that took part reported feeling happier, healthier and more positive on their return to work. They also learnt a number of valuable ways to help look after their wellbeing from being outside chatting to others, to learning new things and meeting new people.
It was a great day. I feel physically and mentally refreshed!Siemens
