Woodland walk. Image by Amy Lewis.
Nature and wellbeing
The natural world is the foundation of our health, wellbeing and prosperity
Northumberland Wildlife Trust is a leading regional environmental charity using innovative nature-based solutions to tackle health inequalities across Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside.
We protect and restore wild places while pioneering new ways to connect communities—especially those experiencing disadvantage—with the wellbeing benefits of nature. From social prescribing partnerships to co-designed peer-support models, we are at the forefront of integrating the natural environment into local health systems.
Our programmes combine conservation expertise with creative, community-led approaches that promote physical and mental health, reduce isolation and build resilience. We believe access to nature is a right—and a powerful, underused tool for advancing health equity.
Evidence shows that a thriving, wildlife-rich environment benefits both physical and mental health. People with nature on their doorstep are more active, mentally resilient and have better all-round health. However, just 35% of households with annual incomes below £10,000 are within a 10-minute walk of a publicly accessible natural green space.
This is why The Wildlife Trusts are working to bring wildlife to more people, and more people to wildlife.
A lovely way to improve wellbeing and mental health by noticing nature. Everyday.
I am agoraphobic and although it has been extremely difficult to get here. I’ve needed it! To be able to spend time in nature again, share experiences, work on all kinds of crafts and skills. So supportive. It’s been so good for me.
Keeps your brain and hands and even your feet active!
It helped me to enjoy being outside again, something I had missed so much in the past and present, and it helped me to be around people again, that's something that I have struggled with my whole life, it also helps so much with my wellbeing. It helped me to keep my head in the right place and continued to, I think it's a great place to help people even with not much mobility like me.
Image by Matthew Roberts
Image by Penny Dixie
Image by Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Image by Matthew Roberts
Image by Richard Osbourne
Current Nature & Wellbeing programmes:
The North East Natural Health Service is an initiative funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the North East Combined Authority as the Lead Authority.
Lead by Northumberland Wildlife Trust, The Northeast Natural Health Service offers a practical, inclusive and partnership-led response to deep-rooted health and economic inequalities experienced by many in Northumberland. By using nature as the foundation, we’re not only helping individuals improve their wellbeing—we’re helping communities to grow stronger, more resilient and more connected.
We aim to:
- Develop nature volunteering initiatives, Nature for Health training and initiate The Nature for Health Network.
- Seek to develop approaches to overcome barriers and develop best and innovative practice.
- Build on our existing outreach and partnerships, to develop a more comprehensive, region-wide model for health equity through nature.
Get involved!
Free 6 week courses in Nature and Wellbeing
Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Northumberland Recovery College are offering the exciting opportunity of free Nature and wellbeing sessions at Woodhorn Museum and Isabella Heap Blyth starting in September. Helping people to improve wellbeing and personal resilience through learning green skills together, empowering and connecting people with nature.
Join our friendly supportive group in outdoor activities including - Wildlife Gardening, mindful walking, grounding exercises, nature-based arts and crafts, green skills, citizen science projects, and learning to look after our local environment.
Booking essential through Northumberland Recovery College:
Telephone: 07866 053717 | Email: nrc@everyturn.org
Locations and dates:
Nature and Wellbeing Course at Woodhorn
Woodhorn Museum, QEII Country Park, Ashington, NE63 9YF
Every Friday from Sept 12th - Oct 17th 11am-2pm
Booking essential through:
northumberlandrecoverycollege.co.uk/events/nature-and-wellbeing
Or
Nature and Wellbeing Course at Blyth
Isabella Heap, 24 Rothbury Ave, Blyth, NE24 4QT
Every Wednesday from Sept 17th-Oct 22nd 1-3pm
Booking essential through:
northumberlandrecoverycollege.co.uk/events/nature-and-wellbeing-2
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the North East Combined Authority as the Lead Authority.
Feel free to contact with any questions or accessibility needs. Travel support is available. Please contact: Joanne.burke@northwt.org.uk 07474 332635
Course flyer
Nature for Health and Wellbeing Fair
Volunteering and Opportunities focused
Woodhorn Museum, QEII Country Park, Ashington NE63 9YF
Saturday 4th October 11am-3pm
Free entry
This event is all about how important Nature and the environment is to our mental and physical wellbeing. With information stalls that will help you explore the many exciting opportunities throughout Northumberland to volunteer with nature based charities, organisations, societies and groups. Find out about campaigns, training, events and activities for nature and environmental causes. Learn how you can make an impact to local green and coastal places and their communities.
For further information please contact joanne.burke@northwt.org.uk 07474 332635
If interested in a holding a stall at the event, please fill in this form first
For Woodhorn Museum accessibility information see here
Or contact info@woodhornmuseum.org.uk 01670 624455
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the North East Combined Authority as the Lead Authority.
Event flyer
Featured past projects:
Better with Nature
As part of the Northumberland Inclusive Economy Community Partnership, Northumberland Wildlife Trust led the Better With Nature Project between August - December 2024. This project was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the North East Combined Authority as the Lead Authority.
Focusing on South East Northumberland, Better with Nature was a 5-month project to upskill, empower and connect people with poor health to nature. It aimed to support people’s wellbeing through nature-based activities and green training opportunities, whilst gathering insights to increase future accessible green volunteering opportunities.
Cultivate & Connect
World Mental Health week 2025 with SHINE Fund
CNTW Charity have partnered with Northumberland Wildlife Trust to offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in the outdoors through two events designed to connect with and learn about nature and local wildlife.
Socialising in nature can benefit both physical and mental health. People with nature on their doorstep are more active, mentally resilient and have better all-round health.
These sessions provide the perfect opportunity to connect with nature, reflect and reset.
Nature and Wellbeing at St Nicholas Hospital
Northumberland Wildlife Trust connecting with CNTW NHS Foundation trust to run Nature and Wellbeing sessions with patients, their carers and staff. To encourage connection and learning with the natural world to positively support people’s health and wellbeing.
Wilder Wellbeing at Northumberlandia
3rd Wednesday of every month, between 11:00-14:00 from May 21st 2025.
Northumberlandia, Fisher Lane, Cramlington, NE23 8AU.
Booking essential as location may change. Book online with the Northumberland Recovery College, call 07866 053 717 or email nrc@everyturn.org.
Northumberland Recovery College and Northumberland Wildlife Trust are offering the exciting opportunity, to help people improve their wellbeing and personal resilience through learning green skills together, empowering and connecting people with nature.
Come and be part of our welcoming and supportive group at the beautiful Northumberlandia Nature Reserve! Together, we’ll take positive action for nature by volunteering a bit of time to help care for the reserve, while also learning how to protect and nurture our local environment.
Alongside the hands-on conservation work, we’ll enjoy a range of fun and meaningful activities. Each session is shaped by the group’s interests and needs, and might include exploring nearby green spaces, mindful walks and grounding exercises, nature-inspired arts and crafts, citizen science projects, wildlife gardening, and developing green skills.
A wellbeing stroll at Northumberlandia © Jo Burke
Free useful documents:
Green social prescribing in South East Northumberland 2024
Who to talk to?
If you are interested in getting involved, know someone who would like to, or have a general question, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Jo Burke (she/her)
Nature and Wellbeing Officer
Joanne.burke@northwt.org.uk
07474 332 635
Northumberland Wildlife Trust Ltd
Other Nature and wellbeing opportunities with NWT:
Nextdoor Nature, bringing communities together to help nature flourish where they live and work
Northumberland Wildlife Trust is co-ordinating Nextdoor Nature here in Newcastle to support communities in Benwell, Scotswood, Elswick, Wingrove, Arthur’s Hill, Byker, and Walker who want to create space for nature on their doorstep. We can help to give you the skills, knowledge, tools and some funding to put some life back into your neighbourhood.
Volunteer with us! Help wildlife and protect our special landscapes
Anyone can volunteer with Northumberland Wildlife Trust. With 60 nature reserves, two amazing visitor centres, offices and information programmes to run, there’s a wide range of things to do. And we can’t do it without you!
Events and activity near you!
Wildlife Work Days
Whether you are looking for your team to get involved with practical conservation tasks or an opportunity to recharge through the benefits of nature connectivity, it is well proven that employees return to work feeling happier, healthier, and more positive after an active day immersed in nature. Northumberland Wildlife Trust runs group volunteering work days throughout the year, across a variety of locations.
The Wildlife Trusts
Saving the NHS time and money
Read our report
Danny Green
The Wildlife Trusts
Our evidenced-based policies
We want healthy and sustainable places to live, work and play in