Inspired by the ancient Japanese ritual for relaxation – Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing – we organise and lead nature wellbeing walks in and around the North York Moors National Park.

We collaborate with local groups and organisations, offering our programme to targeted groups who would benefit from a guided walk and a deeper connection with nature to support their health and wellbeing. Our walks also help build confidence in nature and encourage pro-environmental behaviours.

Our current programme is focused on men who have or are currently accessing mental health support or services in Teesside.

Between October 2024 and October 2024 were worked with members from Teesside-based Andy’s Man Club – a men’s suicide prevention charity offering free peer-to-peer support groups across the UK.

From April 2025 we will work with a mens group from Teesside MIND.

On our programme, we take time to appreciate the small things in our surroundings – the sound of the wind whistling through the trees, the trickle of a nearby stream, the melody of birdsong, and the scent of the forest on a warm summer day.

Connecting with nature is proven to promote good mental and physical health, wellbeing, and personal development.

Nature connection is a positive, proactive, and cost-effective way to tackle and reverse worsening health and life outcomes.

As little as twenty minutes immersed in nature – whether in a National Park or a backyard – can significantly reduce stress and anxiety (by lowering cortisol) while increasing feel-good hormones (endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine). This can help people feel calm, spark creativity, improve communication, and boost concentration.

The walks provide an opportunity for participants to connect with others, and we’ve found that being in nature puts people on an equitable footing, helping form bonds and encouraging discussion.

Many barriers prevent people from connecting with nature or spending quality time in our National Parks, including the cost of living, lack of confidence, and transport challenges.

Our programme provides material support, such as covering transport costs and providing walking boots, to ensure everyone has fair access to enjoy and benefit from nature.

We believe that connecting with nature plays a vital role in helping people cope, recover, and thrive.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK, with three-quarters of deaths each year being men. The statistics are even more stark in the North East and Yorkshire. Traditional stereotypes and stigma around mental health continue to make it harder for men to seek support, meaning they are far less likely than women to access professional help or confide in friends and family.

In 2024, we received funding from the Tees Foundation, You’ve Got This, Everyone Active, and the Alpkit Foundation. This funding allows us to maintain Trust Treks and continue providing this free programme to those who benefit from it.