Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean. Thanks to the Actif Woods Wales programme across Wales, people with a whole host of health conditions have been benefiting physically and mentally from being outdoors in a natural woodland setting.
Building social confidence and life skills are just as important to peoples health as improving their fitness.
Jo Cooper of Coed Lleol said: Being in the woodland with a group facilitates this - it is a levelling, safe and mentally stimulating environment.
Actif Woods has partnered with mental health groups, including Mind, helping staff learn woodland skills that they can deliver themselves.
Before I came to the group I felt my life was going nowhere, there were days when I didn't feel like facing the world; my friends were worried about my wellbeing. Now I feel more confident, get up early and feel ready to face the world. (long standing Mind participant).
Sometimes the benefits to mental health of being in the outdoors have come through attending the open sessions, such as the mountain gym walking group in Treherbert.
I believe I have benefited mostly through gaining confidence to get out of the house into a safe, quiet and natural environment without getting very anxious in a social situation. I have really enjoyed the exercises, even in the rain, and it has given me the motivation to start following a healthier lifestyle. (Treherbert walking group participant)
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