The BreathChamps' Forest Bathing Story

Why we started forest bathing

We started forest bathing because we wanted to help people living with breathlessness discover that being outdoors could be something to enjoy rather than something to fear.

For someone who is breathless, going for a walk can feel like a challenge. Forest bathing offers a different approach. There is no pressure to walk far or go a particular distance. Instead, people are encouraged to slow down, notice their surroundings, breathe, move gently and spend time in nature alongside other people.

We saw that this could offer much more than a physical activity. It could help people get out of the house, meet other people, make friends, become more active and grow in confidence.

And we soon realised that what worked for people with breathlessness could benefit almost anyone, so everyone is welcome. You don't need to have a lung condition to enjoy the simple benefits of slowing down, connecting with nature and spending time with other people.

Our evaluations showed just how valuable the sessions became. Among participants at our Coppice Avenue forest bathing sessions, 92% said that taking part helped them get out of the house more and helped them make more friends.

The sessions also created opportunities for people to support one another: 83% said that they had been helped by others or had helped someone else.

People described feeling happy, grateful, calmer, more relaxed and positive after taking part. One participant summed up the experience beautifully, saying it “felt like a big warm hug.”

This is why we wanted forest bathing to continue beyond BreathChamps. We trained three community organisations to develop their own groups and eventually handed our own activities over to one of them, so that people can continue to enjoy forest bathing together, free of charge.

What started as an idea to help people with breathlessness has grown into something that can benefit anyone who wants to spend a little more time outdoors, move gently, connect with nature and connect with other people. Listed below are the groups that we helped to set up:

• Timperley - first Monday in the month 1.00 - 2.00pm, contact Jeannette on 07730 087683

• Sale: Every Thursday at 2.00 - 3.00pm, in or around Coppice Avenue Library. Contact 0161 912 3560

• Sale West: third Friday in the month 11.30am - 12.30pm. Contact Gaynor on 07732 321156

• Sale Moor: Thursdays at 1.30 - 2.30pm. Contact Carl for dates, on 0161 962 3636

​They groups welcome anyone - no matter where you live!
They also welcome community workers who want to understand what forest bathing is, so that you can signpost people to us.
People can self refer, or be signposted

Groups do a brief wellbeing assessment when you start.

Unfortunately they cannot accommodate  pets, other than assistance dogs.

 

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