Disconnect to Reconnect.
A 6 week course that uses the widely endorsed and recognisable 5 Ways to Wellbeing as a framework, and applies Ecotherapy principles and practice.
Five Ways to Wellbeing with Nature in Mind
- A 6 week course that uses the widely endorsed and recognisable 5 Ways to Wellbeing as a framework, and applies Ecotherapy principles and practice
- If the group has already finished the introductory workshop, this course may be run over 5 weeks
- Details will vary depending on location and facilities as the course will be imbedded in the local community. The example below was for a group based in the Strabane area of county Tyrone
SESSION BREAKDOWN
1
3 hours
Indoor venue – preferably with outdoor access
Facilitated by Michaela Mc Daid
Groundwork
- Introduction to course, facilitator, and group participants
- Nature in Mind Icebreaker activities
- Power Point Presentation
Course structure:
Introduction to 5 Ways to Well being
Introduction to Ecotherapy; theory, evidence and application
- Ground rules: Contract / expectations / boundaries
- Health and safety
- Logistics
- ICE contact details
- Keeping Nature in Mind - resources
- Reflection Diary
2
3 hours
Indoor and outdoor workshop
in community garden
Facilitated by Michaela Mc Daid
and resident gardener / horticulturalist
CONNECT – not just for WiFi
Earthing and gardening
- Connecting with nature to support good mental health
- Group connection with team building activities in the community garden
- Connecting with the earth through hands and feet; earthing and gardening
- Keeping nature in mind ‘homework’
- Outdoor diary reflection
3
3 hours
Dennett Anglers Association
Donemana
Facilitated by Michaela Mc Daid and Damian Devine
a) NOTICE / LEARN
In the great scheme of things
- Guided river walk learning about the ecology and conservation of freshwater fish, and the connectedness of all life on earth
- Ecotherapy group activities
- Keeping nature in mind ‘homework’
- Outdoor diary reflection
OR
b) NOTICE
Shinrin yoku (Forest bathing)
- History, theory and evidence of Shinrin Yoku
- Practical session in park or woodland
- Keeping nature in mind ‘homework’
- Outdoor diary reflection
4
3 hours
Dennett Anglers Association
Donemana
Facilitated by Michaela Mc Daid and Damian Devine
LEARN
Gone ‘fishing’ – not ‘catching’
- A practical session learning the skill of fly fishing on the river Dennet
- Being in the moment, fishing as mindfulness
- Keeping nature in mind ‘homework’
- Outdoor diary and reflection
5
3 hours
Donegal Donkey Sanctuary
Or
Equine Therapy
or
Rainbow Rehoming Centre
or
Carefarming
Facilitated by Michaela Mc Daid and host
GIVE
Nurturing to be nurtured
- Animal Assisted Therapy -
The therapeutic effect of nurturing and caring for animals in supporting good mental and emotional health
- Keeping nature in mind ‘homework’
- Outdoor diary reflection
6
3 hours
Indoor and outdoor in local green space
Facilitated by Michaela Mc Daid
ACTIVE
‘Come Walk with me’
- Why walking / exercising in green spaces is more beneficial than indoor or urban exercise
- Facilitated group walk in green space
- Ecotherapy activities
Keeping nature in mind
- Summary of learning
- Personal time and space
- Evaluations
- Resources and signposting
- Final Diary Reflection
- Closing
- Lunch / dinner / tea
** OPTIONAL EXTRA SESSION **
7
Half Day
Full Day
Or
Overnight retreat
Local Woodlands
or
Wildwoods, Culdaff, Co Donegal
Facilitated by Michaela Mc Daid
And
Gareth Mc Daid, Wildwoods Bushcraft Academy
And
Additional Facilitators
ALL 5 WAYS TO WELLBEING
Rewilding in the Woods, coming home
Disconnect to reconnect
– Wildwoods Bushcraft Academy
Learning and experiencing ancestral skills and ways of life
- firelighting
- foraging
- shelter building
- tracking
- basket weaving
- earthing on the beach
- paddling / swimming /cold water immersion
- shinrin-yoku (forest bathing)
- Drumming Circle
- Outdoor diary reflection
SESSION & CONTENT
BREAKDOWN
COST
WEEK 1
Introduction to the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Ecotherapy
Practical Ecotherapy: Team building / group activities in the community garden / outdoor space
Michaela Mc Daid
Facilitation 3 hrs x €40 = €120
€120
WEEK 2
Connect
Shinrin Yoku
Or
Gardening
Michaela Mc Daid
Facilitation 3 hrs x €40 = €120
(+ optional horticulturalist co-facilitation + €120)
€120
WEEK 3
Active / Notice
Walking in Nature
Facilitated group walk in green space
Michaela Mc Daid
Facilitation 3 hrs x €40 = €120
€120
WEEK 4
Notice / Learn
Guided walk on Dennett River with information session on ecosystems
Or
Practical session in Fly fishing
Michaela Mc Daid
Facilitation 3 hrs x €40 = €120
Dennett Anglers Association
Damien Devine
Co-facilitation + venue = €150
WEEK 5
Give / Learn / Active
Animal Assisted Therapy
Care farming / Equine Therapy
Or
Visit to Animal Shelter, grooming, walking, feeding
Michaela Mc Daid
Facilitation 3 hrs x €40 = €120
Host and Co – facilitation + €150
Donation to Animal shelter €100
WEEK 6
Closing session in the community garden
Grounding
Group exercises
Final reflections
Diary
Or
Rewilding
Full day session of
Bushcraft and Shinrin – yoku (Forest Bathing)
In local woodlands or Wildwoods, Culdaff, Co Donegal
Michaela Mc Daid
Facilitation 3 hrs x €40 = €120
Wildwoods Wilderness Living Academy
Gareth Mc Daid Facilitation, resources. Preparation & equipment = €600
Michaela Mc Daid
Facilitation 6hrs x €40 = €240
Preparation and resources = €120
+ €960
TOTAL with minimum of 2 x co-facilitated sessions
Or
with 3 co-facilitated sessions and day long retreat with bushcraft
€ 900