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Mindful in Nature

“I have completed other courses/treatment to address my mental health in the past, but none match this course in terms of effectiveness”

- course participant in 2023

Mindful-in-Nature is a Sharpham Trust project specifically designed to support mental health recovery. It teaches resilience and ongoing well-being for people aged 18+ living locally, combining mindfulness and nature connection.

The project is possible thanks to support from National Lottery Community Fund, and includes funded places available for those experiencing financial hardship, as well as help with travel locally.

A singing bowl

8-week mental health recovery course

Combat poor mental health with mindful, nature-based techniques.

You'll be supported by experienced and compassionate leaders and the community of fellow participants.

Courses run twice a year, the next 8-week course runs from 22 April to 10 June 2025.

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Mindfulness in Nature

Mental health recovery – introduction

This half-day introduction session gives you an taster to the Sharpham Estate and our 8-week course Mindful-in-Nature course.

You'll meet the course leaders and the course coordinator, with a chance to see what the 8-week course involves.

The next Introduction Session takes place on 1 April 2025.

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Mindfulness in Nature
Peer mentor Phil
play

Former participant Phil Mcmahon shares their own journey on our Mindful-in-Nature course, and describes some of the things that happen to help participants.

Peer mentor Cass
play

Cass participated in, then became a peer mentor on our course offering nature-connection to those suffering poor mental health.

Here she tells her own story of discovering the Mindful-in-Nature course - an event that "changed her life".

Who is this course for?

This course is for anyone, no matter their background or stage in life, who is working towards recovery from mental health challenges.

You don’t need to have any previous knowledge of mindfulness or the outdoors, just an open mind.

MIN fire meditation

To apply for a place, you will need:

  • Recent or ongoing lived experience of mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety
  • To be in a relatively stable period of mental well-being
  • To be aged 18 or above
  • An interest in spending some time outdoors in a beautiful location, surrounded by nature in a safe and supportive setting
  • A curiosity to learn how the practice of mindfulness and nature connection can support your overall sense of well-being
  • A willingness to fully commit to the course
  • To be living locally (in South Devon) and be available for the course times and dates (in South Devon)
  • Not to be a previous participant of the course

People taking part in these courses will learn:

  • Mindfulness and nature connection practices and skills to help manage stress and enhance well-being
  • How to build personal resilience and an increased ability to cope with difficult and stressful situations
  • A set of skills to help be steadier with whatever is happening, without resisting it or judging it as good or bad
  • Self-compassion and being kinder to one's self
  • How to apply mindfulness to daily life after the course has been completed
Toria Hare at The Sharpham Trust

The Mindful-in-Nature project is coordinated by Toria Hare. She can be contacted on [email protected]

"It's completely changed my life! And that's part of why I want to encourage other people to come to Sharpham, do Mindful-in-Nature and feel the benefits: have a happier life, have a more stable life, have a life full of joy

- Cass

“[The course] has given me love and a feeling of self-worth.”

- a 2023 participant

“This course has totally changed my outlook on the rest of my life ahead.”

- a 2023 participant

“I can’t thank the team enough. We were held with such heartfulness, care and strength.”

- a 2023 participant

“I honestly feel that the course was a healing miracle for me.”

- a 2023 participant