Mental Health Awareness Week in the Chilterns

Relax your body, or improve your physical senses, and the mind will follow. Here are a couple of unusual experiences in the walking festival.

The Barefoot Sensory Walk on 14th May and 28^th May is a chance to experience walking barefoot in nature with an experienced guide. You’ll be invited to feel the difference between the various terrains in the woods with no pressure – you can put your shoes back on or wear minimalist shoes (shoes which a thin sole which lets your feel more of the ground’s variability than thick soled, cushioned footwear).  What a wonderful way to be mindful of your sensations through the feet.

The Foot Therapy Workshop takes place on 4^th June. You’ll only walk a mile with a mindful walking specialist Isabelle Brough, and then you’ll lie down in the grass to do some foot exercises- you’ll be asked to bring a mat or towel so you can lie down, and a thick book to rest your shoulders and head on and relax your spine.

Lindengate centre exists entirely to improve people’s mental health, physical health and wellbeing through the provision of nature based activities including horticulture, gardening, conservation, heritage skills and woodworking.

For those that are struggling with mild to moderate depression, low mood, anxiety or stress or are struggling to return to work after a period of sick leave, Lindengate offers a 12 week wellbeing course – the next runs from 7^th June to 23^rd August. You’ll be in a small group of 6 people and you can take part in seasonal nature based activities, including conservation, kitchen & formal gardening and nature based crafts and arts, with support for building your resilience and maintaining positive wellbeing.

Dudes and Dogs provides a group for men to walk together and a safe space to talk and discuss mental health issues, with no pressure. (link)

Path Hill Outdoors at Goring Heath is a skilled team of outdoor educators and bushcraft leaders who work with young people who find the classroom environment a challenge. Working with people living with trauma, anxiety disorders or those on the autistic spectrum, they run a pre-school group, family camps, activities for schools and community groups. Get in touch if you feel your school, community group or family would benefit.

They also run Path Hill Adventures, bookable activities for adults’ wellbeing such as a wild women’s group, slow stitching outdoors, outdoor cooking and forest bathing, plus experiences for families.

Watch an outdoor play – Sour Cherry Soup

This new 45 minute one woman show tells the story of the changing landscapes and populations of the Chilterns, as well as how the history of cherries is also the history of Southern England. Written by playwright Sara Clifford, the play has been inspired by real stories of Chilterns people, gathered by Sara at creative workshops and discussions with community groups across the Chilterns. The Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape partnership is thrilled to be bringing this brand-new play to a range of outdoor venues in the Chilterns this summer – join us to dive into the Chilterns in a way you may not have experienced before! BOOK HERE

There are some wonderful centres for art courses, yoga and complementary  health in tranquil Chilterns settings.

Where inspiration blooms just outside the market town of Chesham offers art classes, horticulture, pottery and wellbeing courses, some of which are family friendly (see website for details).

The Coaching Barn between Wallingford and Goring offers a similar range of courses for both adults and children.