Latest News

Helping young people support their mental health through increased engagement with the natural world We’re delighted to announce the launch of our new schools-based initiative, “A Dose of Nature for Christ’s Students” , a pilot programme designed to bring the proven benefits of nature directly into the school environment. This innovative partnership with Christ’s School in Richmond is part of our mission to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people through regular, meaningful engagement with the natural world. Backed by over 40 years of scientific research, our programme offers a structured yet creative way to empower teenagers with practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges. What the Programme Includes: PSHE Lessons for Year 8 Over four lessons during the summer term, students will explore how time in nature can reduce stress, improve focus, and support better mental health. These sessions include hands-on, sensory-based activities and time spent outdoors—designed to help students feel the difference nature can make. Six-Week Nature for Wellbeing Courses Small groups of students from Years 7–10 , identified as needing additional emotional support, will take part in weekly sessions led by our experienced psychologists . Each week introduces a different “key ingredient” of nature—from colour and movement to pattern and sound—to help students better understand how to use nature to regulate their mood and strengthen their resilience. Parent & Carer Engagement Parents and carers will be invited to a one-off talk to learn about the science behind our approach, along with practical ideas for encouraging young people to spend more time outside—both independently and as a family. Early Feedback from Students: “I could not have imagined a more life-changing experience.” — Mark, 18 “Dose of Nature has helped relieve so much stress… I feel happier and more confident.” — Roshin, 16 “It gave me hope for the rest of the week.” — Jasmine, 15 We know that nature isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Our goal is to equip young people with tools they can carry for life: the ability to slow down, to reconnect, and to find peace in the green spaces around them. This pilot is just the beginning. We hope to expand the programme to more schools across the region, creating a ripple effect of resilience, confidence, and calm. If you’re interested in bringing a Dose of Nature to your school, get in touch today at info@doseofnature.org.uk or v i sit www.doseofnature.org.uk 

On 24 January 2025, Dose of Nature clients, volunteers, and team members gathered at Pensford Field to take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch — a nationwide event running from 24–26 January. After a stormy week, we were delighted to enjoy calm weather, perfect for spotting wildlife. Together, we recorded 10 different bird species, including a particularly magical moment when three robins were spotted together by one of our wonderful volunteers. Our findings have now been submitted to the RSPB to contribute to their national survey. The Big Garden Birdwatch isn’t just about enjoying nature — it plays a crucial role in monitoring the health of UK bird populations. Many species, including much-loved garden birds, are now on the RSPB’s list of Birds of Conservation Concern. Each bird counted helps paint a clearer picture of how our wildlife is doing — and where help is needed most. We’re proud that our peaceful corner at Pensford Field is providing a welcoming haven for so many birds. Thank you to everyone who took part and made it such a special day. Find out more about the Big Garden Birdwatch on the RSPB website .

We are pleased to announce that Richmond Council have agreed to grant Dose of Nature (DoN) a new lease for Pensford Field from September 2025. The Council’s decision reflects a shared commitment to addressing an urgent mental health crisis within the Borough and beyond. Our volunteer-led charity has demonstrated the therapeutic power of nature, providing much-needed services to individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, with higher efficacy and lower cost than more established options. Our Nature Prescriptions are currently constrained to support around 300 people annually with the arrangement at present, and with this new lease we are set to expand to 500 people per year. This means more vulnerable groups and children who have been hardest hit by the ongoing mental health crisis benefitting from our innovative programme. Beyond mental health benefits, we are committed to increasing wider, resident, community and schools’ access to the Field, as well as guaranteeing the continued access by the current users, such as beekeeping, Darell School children and local nurseries, and community activities and events such as the Pensford Field Sum mer Picnic and the Wassail. All this we will do whilst continuing to consider the ecological impact of our endeavours. Dose of Nature’s work is deeply rooted in environmental conservation, and we will protect and further improve this unique urban ecological space. Our nature-based therapeutic approach complements the preservation of Pensford Field’s unique ecosystem. Small group sizes and minimal environmental footprint ensure that conservation remains a priority while offering life-changing health benefits to the community​. The evolving use of Pensford Field is an evolution that reflects the growing need for green spaces to serve both ecological and human health functions. Every step will be eco-conscious and sustainable in a way that is nurturing to this beautiful green natural space and sensitive to our surrounding neighbours, using local people’s enthusiasm and expertise to fulfil this exciting community conscious transition. With biodiversity at its heart, we would hope to showcase to other London Boroughs and beyond what can be done with a small patch of outdoor green space, both for the benefit of the environment and the benefit of people in the community. As our original hub, Dose of Nature's presence at Pensford Field has provided the opportunity to scientifically track and validate our proof-of-concept as a nature-based mental health charity that works closely with the NHS. Our partnership with the London School of Economics for a year-long research project related to mental health and environmental conservation will provide further evidence, as we expand to other locations. All these successes have helped us to garner national coverage and interest in our innovative charity. A more firmly established presence at the Field will help secure our national influence as a charity transforming the way mental health is addressed. The transition of the Pensford Field lease to Dose of Nature will provide a sustainable future for the Field and local community use, as well as expanding its impact on mental health, ensuring its conservation for generations to come. We look forward to working with the Council and the Pensford Field Environmental Trust trustees on this transition. They have created a wonderful legacy.

Dose of Nature took to the stage to present ‘A Dose of Nature in Community: An Alternative Professional Practice Model by Counselling Psychologists’ at the British PsychologicalSociety’s Annual Counselling Psychology Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. The 2024 conference celebrated 30 years of counselling psychology in the UK with the conference theme: ‘Dancing between the forest of life and the digital jungle’. The two-day event explored the role of natural psychological support in a highly digitalised world. Team member, Romina, represented Dose of Nature at the event, speaking about the science of why our ‘Nature Prescriptions’ improved the mental health of those that completed their programme in 2022- 2023 by up to 92%. It was a delight to speak with fellow Counselling Psychologists and Psychotherapists and learn that practitioners are enthusiastic about working with the science of Nature as part of their practice.

We were delighted to welcome the RHS Community Outreach Team to our base at Dapdune Wharf for their team away day. We spent time sharing information about the active ingredients of nature but had plenty of opportunities for engaging with nature and having a bit of fun too! Some beautiful gifts in nature were left for other visitors to the site to enjoy.

This week marked the 50 th anniversary of the Clinical Psychology doctorate programme at the University of Surrey, and we were delighted to be invited to talk about the w ork we are doing at Dose of Nature . Aneisha Sandhu, trainee Clinical Psychologist, talked to staff and clinical supervisors from across Surrey and South London about her placement with us at our Guildford site. 

We attend the Director General of the National Trust's Annual Garden party

Wellbeing workshop for organisation supporting young people leaving care

We were once again blessed with beautiful blue skies and sunshine for our Guildford monthly conservation group. Our group worked on cutting back overgrowth along the river, as well as removing the invasive Penny Wort weed. We were delighted to welcome the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey to join us as part of his Surrey Day itinerary.