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Woodlands for health

 

Woodlands for Health is a 12-week woodland-based guided walking programme for adults availing of mental health services and supports in Ireland. Woodlands for Health is an accessible and sustainable way to engage with nature, as part of a toolkit for supporting mental health and well-being.

 

Woodlands for Health began as a pilot project in Wicklow in 2012, based on the award-winning “Branching Out” programme in Scotland. In 2024 there were 18 Woodlands for Health programmes running in 14 counties with 384 participants across Ireland.

 

The national partners of Woodlands for Health are Get Ireland Walking, Mental Health Ireland and Coillte and it is facilitated by additional programme partners through local steering groups.

Picture of Sarah Hourigan
Sarah Hourigan

 

For more information:

go to the WFH website: https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/woodlandsforhealth/

contact the National Woodlands and Nature Project Lead:

Sarah Hourigan; sarah@mentalhealthireland.ie ; 087 359 0011

Woodlands for Health recognises that walking is an activity with a potential risk of personal injury.

Participants should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

Get ireland walking
coillte
MHI
Maynooth university