Ally from Beechbrae: “Nature does the magic, we just help facilitate it”

Beechbrae is a woodland based social enterprise and charity based in Beechbrae Wood in Blackridge, West Lothian. We began as a grass roots group of people with ideas of how we could have a positive impact in our community by supporting others to engage with nature and the environment. Beechbrae holds an orchard, garden, mixed woodland with walking paths, labyrinth, Woodland Centre and a wild pond. These places help to connect people with nature as a way of addressing a variety of challenges. 

What we do

Branching Out at Beechbrae is a 12-week outdoor programme, running on Fridays from 10am–1pm at Beechbrae Wood. It’s aimed at people who want to improve their wellbeing by getting outside and building confidence in outdoor and conservation skills. Getting outside is something we think matters especially in the darker seasons, when there’s so much on offer in nature but sometimes people just need a nudge or support to begin. To be referred to Branching out, there is a simple referral form to be completed by a mental health professional.

The programme includes:

• Fire lighting and fire cooking
• Conservation work
• Foraging
• Mindful walks
• Plant and tree identification
• The John Muir Award — Wild Places Guardian
• Plant & land folklore
• …and more

Here’s a link to a video on Youtube that gives a good flavour of what Branching Out at Beechbrae looks like. 

Each programme can take up to 12 participants and is run by two Beechbrae Rangers. We loan wellies and waterproofs for the sessions, and participants just need to bring a packed lunch and arrange their own transport to and from the site.

For anyone who wants to keep coming after the 12 week Branching Out programme is completed, we also run Wellbeing Conservation Groups at Beechbrae.

Why we’re passionate

Our WHY at Beechbrae is that we all need connection, we are all in need of healing and we all grow as we learn. Being outside, connecting with nature and with others is good for everyone, but especially if you’re finding yourself in a hard place. Over the 12 weeks in Branching Out we get to witness folk learning new skills, exploring interests and finding ways to support their wellbeing. It’s pretty special.

How I look after my own mental health

It’s much easier to see what would help someone else than to put that into practice myself. It’s been a journey over many years to find ways to support my own mental health. Below are some things I do that I find really help me.

• Go for a 10 min walk outside after lunch
• Ask for help
• Practice Self Kindness (talking to myself the way I’d speak to someone I care about)
• Attend supervision and therapy
• Practice yoga
• Garden (while listening to a favourite podcast)
• Eat lots of different vegetables
• Make time to do things that bring me joy

I often remind myself that I can’t give or pour from an empty cup.  And the cup can empty WAY quicker than it takes to fill up, so it’s important to constantly be feeding it.

What participants say:

“I have always loved being in nature and having the opportunity to learn about my surroundings has been wonderful, and to learn about things from such passionate people has been an experience I will carry with me forever. From the beginning of branching out to the end, and to this day, it has been the most helpful and rewarding experience I have had. ”- a Branching Out participant

“I have learned so much about myself, nature and conservation. Beechbrae is a magical place that I believe can do magical things for people.”  -a Branching Out participant

Get in touch

We aim to run 4 Branching Out programmes each year. If you or someone you know is in West Lothian and could benefit from being referred to join a Branching Out, get in touch call 01501 752359 or email hello at beechbrae.com. You can find out more at beechbrae.com.

If you would like us to share your story, please email westspace@health-in-mind.org.uk.