A participant from the women’s group wrote, The Woods:

We all walked together feeling anxious and unsure

The trail of leaves and nutshell husks cover the woods floor

Together we make our way to the acorn shaped canopy

Trees standing strong, becoming our family

Fire crackles and embers fly

The sounds of nature against the noise of cars driving by

Together we sit and form our circle

Introducing ourselves and conquering our first hurdle

The fire is warm, and the breeze nips our nose

Anticipation eases, the woods whispers, because she knows

Being as one with the tree and the sounds

She lets us feel ok to let go of our ups and downs

We are all here in the safety of her warm embrace

The woods is our calling, we deserve our space

So, the fire is extinguished as we all walk away

Thank you for caring for us, we will see you another day.

An Earth, Rebuild and Support participant created, A Green Light for Me:

Last week Sam asked, “Have you used AI?”
I grinned and said, “Oh yes, I tried!”
It helped my coursework, made me sound bright,

Like I had wisdom, sharp and right!

And now we’re here, week number three,

At Strumpshaw Fen, wild and free.

Each Thursday brings a time to mend,

Among the trees, with newfound friends.

We gather round, we build, we learn,

We watch the campfire crackle, burn.

 With mallets made by our own hands,

We shape our strength like shifting sands.

The WILFs who lead us, calm and wise,
See the world through patient eyes.
They hold this as a safe space, they can suggest a way,
So we can breathe, reflect, and stay.

We all have battles, loud or small,
There is no need to name them, not at all.
Each reason here is strong, is true,
As we take steps towards a brighter view.

I don’t yet know what change will spark,

What light will rise out of the dark.

But nature works in ways unseen,

I trust its touch of gentle green.

The forest heals, the air is kind,

A place to breathe, to rest the mind.

A meal is shared, the fire glows,

A simple joy that soothes our woes.

I come to pause, to rest, reset,

To take a moment, not forget-
That I too need a space to be,
Not just for ‘all the others’, but just for me.

For life is busy, it can be too fast,
But here, the weight is set aside at last.
No need to hurry, no need for fuss,
For there is never any rush with the Green Light Trust.

(Generated by AI, but with my heart and words—I’ve given it a go!)

We have also had a poem written by a participant from our Norfolk site called, Turning the Wheel.

Seven weeks have come and gone,

Through sun and rain, we’ve journeyed on.

From wary steps to hands held steady,

Now as a team, we stand here ready.

We set up camp, we light the flame,

We cook, we tidy, with thought and care

No longer guests, we shape this space,

With quiet care and steady grace.

are Knives are sharpened skills refined,

Labyrinth paths made for the wandering mind.

With every task, with every turn,

A deeper understanding begins to burn.

Yet none of this could stand so true,

Without the ones who guide us through.

They hold this space with patient hands,

A quiet strength that understands.

The Yare walk calls, its whispers low,

A place where rushing thoughts can slow.

We watch the marsh harriers soar so high,

And buzzards circle in the sky.

In the ZEN zone, we paused, we breathed,

And let natures soft voice help us ease.

A moment still, a mind set free,

A rare chance for me to simply be.

Today the wheel shifts once again,

Spring’s return, the equinox reigns.

Day meets night in perfect blend,

A sign of balance, growth, and mend.

The earth awakens, bright and bold,

New beginnings, stories told.

And just like nature sheds its old,

We shed the doubts we used to hold.

For here among the trees we find,

A space to heal, to still the mind.

A space to build, to learn, adjust-

No need to hurry, no need for fuss,

For there is never any rush with the Green Light Trust.

 Amazing work, thank you to our participants for sharing with us.

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The day before, Wednesday 19 March, is National Social Prescribing Day – a celebration of the people, organisations and communities who make social prescribing happen. Green Social Prescribing – the practice of supporting people through nature-based interventions and activities to improve their mental and physical health – is growing in size and recognition as a sector. Over the past four years work has been underway to develop new and sustainable ways to embed green social prescribing into local mental health pathways – yet more needs to be done to roll this out on a greater scale.

Around 20% of children aged 7 to 16 had a probable mental health condition in 2023, up from 12% in 2017. This led to the NHS spending £16 billion on mental health services in 2022/2023 (which makes up 14% of local NHS funding allocations)¹. Yet there is strong and growing evidence that nature based social prescribing plays an important role in improving both mental and physical health as well as reducing loneliness².

The event will explore these issues and related topics with a panel of professionals, led by Caroline Emmerson from Natural England who will present on learning from phase one of the ‘National Cross Government programme: Preventing and Tackling Mental Ill-health through Green Social Prescribing’. All providers attending will get the chance to input into the day and an ‘Impact Wall’ will encourage delegates to share quotes and feedback from the participants that they support.

Catering will be provided by the Food Museum who create delicious organic food – sourced and cooked on-site from their own walled garden and kitchen, and there will be opportunities for attendees to participate in ‘green’ well-being activities in the grounds. At the end of the day, next steps will be captured and reviewed with the hope that the network of providers will continue and grow in size, to support each other and build on the current successes across the region.

Lauren Shand, Chief Executive, Green Light Trust, said: “We are excited to bring together organisations from across the sector for a day of collaboration at the Food Museum, in partnership with Natural England. While at Green Light Trust we have been engaging people in nature for over 30 years, it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to bring organisations together and unite our expertise so we can strengthen the sector and drive forward real change regarding support for our communities. This event is the start of a conversation to strengthen our roots as a sector and to push forward together.”

Caroline Emmerson, Principal Officer, Health and Environment at Natural England said: “We know there is strong evidence for the link between better health and time spent in nature. Natural England is delighted to support this important event and the ambition to improve the provision of Green Social Prescribing across our region. I look forward to taking part and sharing the learning, insights and wider evidence on the health benefits of nature with our partners.”

Marie Taylor, Events Manager, at the Food Museum said: “We are proud to host this event as partners with a shared vision and at the same time sharing our beautiful natural setting for this important day. Through partnerships with others, in academia and business, we seek to become part of the national conversation about the environment and how our food is grown, produced and its future in the UK and the effects on our health.”

References

¹https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06988/SN06988.pdf

²https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/green-social-prescribing

Green Light Trust is an environmental education charity which uses the power of nature to transform lives. It offers expert-led wellbeing and educational programmes in woodland and green spaces in East Anglia, helping adults, children and young people to refocus, rebuild their lives and thrive. Run from woodlands in Suffolk and Norfolk, the programmes offer vital support to children and young people who need a ‘natural alternative’ to mainstream education, as well as those with mental health issues – and to adults with disabilities, additional needs, or those dealing with addiction and mental health.   

The Food Museum is the UK’s only museum dedicated to food, located in East Anglia, ‘Britain’s Breadbasket’. Their mission is to connect people with where our food comes from and the impact of our choices: past, present and future. 

Natural England is the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, helping to protect England’s nature and landscapes for people to enjoy and for the services they provide. They are an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

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Andrew has been a true asset to the team at Green Light Trust and even raised over £3000 by cycling the North Coast 500 in Scotland!

“The most challenging moment was the second day when it was cold, under 10 centigrade, the wind was blowing, and it was raining quite heavily…

I was soaked everywhere, and I still had 50 miles to cover that day. I really needed the accountability of the money raised to keep me focused on what I was doing, because it was a moment where I wanted to give in.”

We will miss you dearly Andy, and wish you all the best for your next endeavour!

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Claire, part of our Suffolk team shared positive news about two of our young participants going on to apprenticeships – with a fantastic quote from one of them.

“We have had two of our young people go on to secure apprenticeships at the end of their time with us. One gained an apprenticeship as a Learning Disability Support Worker and the other has just started as a Teaching Assistant in a primary school. Both said that Green Light Trust helped them to build their confidence, social skills and also helped them to recognise that they wanted to support others, just like we had them.

“I am so proud of getting to where I am today. I have learnt new skills, made lifelong friends and now have a job. I honestly didn’t think it would ever be possible! I was terrified when I first joined GLT and never thought I would fit in. It has completely changed my mindset. I was so wary and untrusting of adults and peers my own age, but GLT helped me to find my people. Leaving is bittersweet as I have loved every minute of it, but I know it is time now to move on.”

Danny, Operations Manager has been involved in delivering the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership student placement pilot.

“It has certainly opened new doors for us and our network of partners continues to grow as we are able to further demonstrate the achievements of our participants through our provision. The feedback has been amazing from the student placements, their tutors, assessors and course leaders. Leaders of community services have also requested visits for their teams as the movement of nature/nurture is becoming stronger as an addition to their practice.

We are proud to say that we are now partnering with The University of Suffolk, University of East Anglia and, University of Essex and in a position to offer placements again next year.”

Mel, our Finance Manager was one of the brave team that took part in the Firewalk fundraising event!

“On 8th November I was lucky enough to be able to join a group of fabulous colleagues and other brave souls and faced the flames and the challenge of walking over extremely hot (over 600 degrees) coals.

This was a truly incredible experience, and I am so glad we put on this fabulous fundraiser. Not only did I have an amazing time (which other colleagues have echoed too) but more importantly, collectively we raised an amazing £13,768! Excited to see what the next fundraiser will bring!”

Taylor, from our Suffolk team explained how some of young people we’ve worked with have progressed so well they’ve been able to go to local colleges – and shared some participants quotes:

“One participant has gone onto an animal care course and another one has gone into tree surgery.  These are participants that originally came to us in a really ‘low’ place and they left with such positivity. I couldn’t be more proud of them.

Many of them were involved in creating a new camp at Castan. It had to be moved over to a new spot which involved building a new fire pit, building a log store, making dead hedges and other things to make it feel more usable and more like ‘home’, as well as dismantling the old camp. The young people worked really hard and have taken on all of the challenges that I have given them.”

“I’ve made friends. I’ve got confidence to stand up for myself now and have made changes to my life because of that. I’m happier since coming here. I also eat now and I didn’t used to” – Hayden

“Cutting down a tree was epic and I felt really proud of myself for doing that” – Katie

“I’m proud of myself for the first time ever. I’m proud of the stuff I’ve made and that’s never happened before. I like coming here because it’s a really nice group, everyone is really accepting and I can talk in front of people. I’ve never really felt comfortable doing that before” – Esther

David from our Norfolk team has been involved in building up a group of volunteers:

“2024 has been a fantastic year for our volunteer team in Norfolk! We’ve grown to a lively group of ten members who are a vital part of what we do. It’s a two-way street—they’ve boosted our ability to support others, and we’ve helped our volunteers grow. This year, two participants stepped up to become volunteers, and one of our volunteers, who started as a participant, has even landed a part-time job! Plus, our volunteer team played a key role in creating the new camp at Strumpshaw Fen. These results show just how awesome our volunteer programme is!”

Louise from our Norfolk team shared some participant quotes:

“It’s helped me bring myself out of myself. My self-esteem is improving. I’m able to face the world a bit easier.”

“Loved being on this course – I’ve felt like I have become accomplished at a new skill – green woodworking. Grateful that my opinions were taken seriously and that I mattered.”

“I’ve learned to be more confident. I’ll feel more able to apply for other things. I feel more independent.”

“I now go out for walks more since coming in this course.”

Andrew, our Operations Manager undertook an impressive sponsored bike ride to raise funds for Green Light Trust.

“It may be no surprise but my highlight of the year was cycling round the North Coast of Scotland, a trip I will never forget. It was a challenge that required planning, training and a bit of courage to put myself out there and risk failing. I am so grateful that a community of people got behind me and together we raised a decent chunk of money which I know will be used well. I hope that I inspired at least 1 person to go on adventure of their own, we only get one life, do something cool!”

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GLT offers expert-led wellbeing and educational programmes in woodlands, helping adults, children and young people to refocus, rebuild their lives and thrive. The charity, which was founded in 1990, hosts groups daily at multiple camps across 10 woodland sites in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Axter Ltd is an Ipswich-based flat roof waterproofing systems specification and design company driven by sustainability, having recently achieved B Corporation Certification. It was interested in the environmental work of GLT and particularly keen to support with the essential management and maintenance of its woodlands.

Since 2012, GLT has owned 26 acres of Frithy Wood in Lawshall, a village outside Bury St Edmunds; it is an ancient wood and an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). While activities carried out with group participants do include conservation tasks such as building habitats for wildlife and nature surveys etc, much of this work can only be carried out by qualified and experienced members of staff. These are needed to ensure that the woodland continues to thrive, biodiversity is maximised, trees remain healthy, and the woodland is resilient to the effects of climate change – while also ensuring the safety of the groups it works with, as well as the local community.

The funding was arranged through Suffolk Community Foundation, the largest grantmaker to the voluntary sector in the county. It will enable Will Poyntz, an experienced tree surgeon and Bushcraft instructor who is part of the expert delivery team at GLT, to be funded for 2 days a month for a whole year, to ensure the woods thrive for years to come. Speaking from Frithy Wood, Will explained how this work not only enables him to manage the woodland but means that group participants can take part in tasks such as hedge laying, coppicing and weaving, giving them skills for the future.

GLT’s work helps people to regain resilience, develop and grow confidence and move forward in life, and it can also result in participants gaining real-world employability skills and flourishing in their careers. Participants from programmes in Frithy Wood have moved on to attend agricultural college, undertake apprenticeships and even become trained as tree surgeons themselves.

Jamie Watt, Marketing Manager at Axter Ltd said, “At Axter, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to support Green Light Trust’s vital work in preserving and enhancing our natural environment while supporting the wellbeing, confidence and resilience of adults and young people. Collaborating with the Suffolk Community Foundation to support the essential management of Frithy Wood aligns perfectly with our commitment to creating a positive impact for current and future generations.”

Anna Hughes, Interim Chief Executive at Suffolk Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to support Green Light Trust through the Axter Climate and Community Fund. Their conservation initiatives not only teach people a wide range of skills, but also help to improve mental health by encouraging them to enjoy nature while contributing to the vital management of woodland for others to enjoy. We look forward to seeing how the work carried out over the next 12 months will benefit the glorious natural environment at Frithy Wood for years to come.”

Lauren Shand, CEO at Green Light Trust commented, “We are delighted that Axter chose to support us and for their commitment to both the environment and the people we support. This funding enables essential work to preserve the beauty and biodiversity of Frithy Wood while providing meaningful opportunities for our participants to learn new skills, build confidence, and reconnect with nature. Together, we are ensuring these woodlands remain a sanctuary for wildlife and a transformative space for people to grow and thrive.”

Notes:

Axter Ltd is a leading, B-Corp certified, flat roof waterproofing systems specification and design company based in Ipswich. Axter provides tailored technical guidance, comprehensive design support, and a commitment to delivering innovative, durable, and sustainable waterproofing solutions. Axter are experts in various roofing technologies including green roofs, blue roofs and Solar PV.

Jamie Watt, Marketing Manager, 07342 960495 jwatt@axterltd.co.uk

Suffolk Community Foundation is the largest independent grant maker to the voluntary sector in Suffolk. It is a registered charity which was set up in 2005 and is part of a national family of 47 community foundations across the UK. The foundation works closely with stakeholders to increase understanding of need and raise essential funds to support local charities and community groups. It does not compete with other charities, but instead acts as a philanthropic hub to channel funds directly to them.

For more information, visit www.suffolkcf.org.uk

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He raised an incredible total of £3,151.43 for GLT, helping to fund our vital services supporting children, young people and adults through the power of nature.  We are so proud of his achievement and thankful to him for his outstanding support.  We caught up with him after the challenge to find out more about his experience.

What inspired you to take on a fundraising challenge for GLT?  

I have a long-standing relationship with GLT, and I wanted to do something to raise money for the charity. I felt that if I was to do something that would inspire people to donate, it would have to be a difficult challenge, one that most people would not think of doing.

I have a list of things I would like to challenge myself with and the NC500 was on the list. Personally, I felt like I wanted a reason to keep at/reach a certain level of fitness.  I find the accountability of something like this super motivating.

I feel like the challenge itself had some links to what we do, or at least I created them. It is about immersing oneself in nature, experiencing the awe that the natural environment can provide (awe being an important part in mental good health).

Riding my bike is an important part of my recovery from a state of poor mental health after losing my mother, and it led me to a supportive community of people, GLT is like that for a number of our participants.

“Taking on a fundraising challenge involves building resilience needed to face the tougher moments, and in a different way, that’s one aspect of how GLT helps individuals.”

And finally, I wanted to inspire people to go and experience something, to go on a journey of seeking wellness, to grab hold of life and create an experience for themselves. To know that the steps of a process involve, set a goal, work for a goal, and hopefully achieve a goal – but the most important part is the bit in the middle, all the growth happens in the middle.

What inspired you to take on a fundraising challenge for GLT?  

My favourite memory is when I stopped and had lunch with two other bike packers, we shared stories of our trips and laughed a lot over food and drink. At the end of the meal, they insisted on paying for my meal because I was taking part in this ride to raise money for a charity.

What was the most challenging moment?

The most challenging moment was the second day when it was cold, under 10 centigrade, the wind was blowing, and it was raining quite heavily. I was soaked everywhere, and I still had 50 miles to cover that day. I really needed the accountability of the money raised to keep me focused on what I was doing, because it was a moment where I wanted to give in.  My training really paid off – all the rides that I had done to prepare in the rain helped me hold on to positivity.

How did you feel when you first set off on Day 1? 

When I set off on day 1, I was excited.  It was a culmination of months of preparation and the day had finally come. I was filled with self-doubt, but 15 miles in I had forgotten about it all and I was just doing what I had been practicing and was really engulfed in the present moment.

How did you feel at the end?

Oh the end is hard to describe, obviously relief that I had finished, I was tired. I was proud of what I had done. I was really grateful that I was able to do it, that I had such great weather and that I got to see such amazing sights. I was super happy with the way the fundraising had gone, that felt better than expected. I also felt a big loss, a hole. I think that will be there for a little while. Preparing for an event like this becomes quite all-consuming and then it is not there anymore, but it is part of the process.

Why should people get involved and fundraise for GLT? 

It is one of the pillars of contentment, being part of something bigger than yourself. I think that along the way you get back more from the experience than you put in, I certainly did. It is about the people you meet along the way, the interactions that you have and the gratitude that you feel. I think we all enjoy feeling like we have made a difference, and you can do that through a bake sale, a coffee morning, or walking a marathon, the end result is the same.

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Each participant was presented with a Learner Journey folder to mark their year, which featured photographs, AQA Award Certificates, GLT Certificates of Achievement and end of year reports.  

These Learner Journeys reflect the person-centred approach taken on the post 16 Education pathway across the year and highlight individual achievements each participant can be proud of and carry forward to their next adventure.  

Participants and staff equally enjoyed their celebration day, with much clapping and food at each event! Read more about how each camp celebrated below: 

• The Foundry: Four of our participants made use of our lovely pizza as part of their end of year celebration. The oven showed how effective it can be by cooking a total of eight pizzas in about an hour. Step by Step then used the remaining heat to cook their end of day pizza wrap snacks.  

• West Stow: Celebrations featured a delicious All-Day Breakfast. One of the participants had specially requested this as it would be his last ever West Stow session. The sense of community which develops when sessions take place in the long-term, with the same people, amongst the trees, around the fire in the same places each week, was palpable. Each person has a role, a responsibility, a contribution, which they can teach their peers. There was a wonderful sense of celebration – for everyone’s achievements over the year, and a whole host of conversations around the fire about what next year might look like for our participants. We all left the session feeling hopeful and fulfilled.  

• Castan: Six participants gathered for an event which also featured lots of food including a feast of doughnuts; with each participant contributing a foodstuff to proceedings. The day included a visit from a participant who after a long time at GLT is now successfully pursuing an apprenticeship with a plant hire and plant machinery company in Ipswich.  

• Frithy: Middle Camp hosted a barbecue organised by one of the participants. Sausages, burgers, bacon, vegan coleslaw and vegan potato salad all featured with a bucket full of ice-cold drinks. The participant who ran the day ensured that he had allocated jobs to several staff members and participants, he was the lead for the day. Much fun was had by all.  

Well done to all the post 16 Education pathway participants, many of whom are returning this academic year for further progression. We wish all the best to our leavers, who are all moving on to exciting new things such as vocational college courses or apprenticeships.  

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This time, they were busy learning how to chop firewood and create fence posts, which was hard work, but they enjoyed getting stuck in and being active. However, one of the most important aspects of these team days is having the opportunity to spend time and relax with different team members from across the company. 

‘We’ve had a fantastic day, there’s people from so many different departments and it’s really nice to bring the team together and have fun.’ 

‘Although we’re working, it’s relaxing, and you don’t have to think about anything other than being in the moment and being here.  I would definitely recommend it.’ 

We’d like to thank Videndum for their valued partnership.  Having a large team volunteering for the day can make a big impact on our woodlands in a short amount of time – plus we appreciate the enjoyment that other teams take from being around the woods and helping us out. 

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“Upon arrival at the Green Light Trust, participants can make a drink and socialise; having conversation, reading books, doing a jigsaw puzzle is some of the things which may be done.

Next, we have our morning activities, and this time of year consists of setting up the pump to our water well, filling watering cans with it and watering all our plants and vegetables which are grown to sell on our stall by the road, where the money made goes back in to Step by Step to purchase more seeds and equipment.

Afterwards, we come back inside for a break, enjoying fruit, a biscuit, and a drink before we head on out for a walk around Golden Wood, which is adjacent to our site. This walk consists of walking along meadows and through a woodland, stopping to take in the nature around us, to do stretching exercises led by participants, and to play games such as duck, duck, goose, and hide and seek, before we walk back for lunch.

In the afternoon, we have a mixture of activities which can differ day-by-day. We may plant seeds to grow vegetables, weed the path areas and vegetables beds, scythe the long grasses on our site, paint pictures, do woodwork (making spatulas, bird boxes, stools and more), and many other different things.

Participants can learn new skills through various activities, building upon their independence. We even go off-site in our minivan to shop for supplies, or to the recycling centre, and some participants spend time in our ancient woodland on the other side of the village where they will help to manage the woodland, coppicing, learn about the nature around us, and take on personal projects. Recently, a participant made a table for his garden, and another is currently making a stool to gift to their nanna.”

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