rebuilding liveS and protecting
our natural world
We connect people to nature so they can connect with themselves and the people around them. Discover how our practices are changing lives for the better across Norfolk and Suffolk.
Why Green Light Trust connects people to the natural world
For over 35 years we’ve seen first hand the benefit of connecting people to nature. From reducing stress and anxiety to boosting mood and wellbeing to an improved quality of sleep, we know that genuine time connected to nature helps us feel more human. The people that we support have often lost that connection to the natural world and want to be reintroduced to it gently and carefully. We know how overwhelming life can be, so by spending time outdoors, doing practical things, we find that people rebalance and realign with themselves.
30%
The average amount depression is reduced by after spending time in nature.
40%
How much psychological distress is lowered by after time spent in nature.
55%
of people reported a better mood after time spent in nature.
Meaningfully connecting with nature to improve lives
When people spend time at our camps, they get to enjoy the benefits of mindful activities. We’re able to protect our woodlands by introducing people to skills such as coppicing, tree planting, and more which enables us to connect them to their surroundings and for us to preserve our beautiful sites. Focusing on tasks such as whittling and shelter building improves people’s concentration, boosts their creativity and encourages them to regulate their moods more effectively. For over 35 years we’ve been building on these concepts and have helped thousands of people to live better lives because of it.
Through (Green Light Trust) I have learnt how to integrate better with people. Now that I feel more confident, I try to support the new participants that are feeling nervous.
ADULT PARTICIPANT
Connecting people through regenerating woodlands
We conserve woodlands in partnership with landowners and Natural England, managing them not only for the benefit of nature, but for the people who find healing within them. A central part of our approach is coppicing; a traditional method that improves biodiversity by increasing light to the forest floor, supporting a wider range of plants, insects, birds, and mammals. In 2024, we coppiced an additional 0.25 hectares at Castan Woods. The results speak for themselves: over 250 species recorded, most in coppiced areas, showing increased insect and plant life and regeneration of trees like silver birch and oak.
But the impact goes deeper. This environmental work is also a pathway to personal transformation. Adults and young people—many with additional needs or facing complex life challenges—take part in woodland management as part of their recovery or growth journey. Activities like coppicing provide structure, purpose, teamwork, and a chance to contribute to something lasting.
The people we support have described the work as therapeutic, empowering, and restorative. We are now developing more formal ways to monitor our environmental impact and deepen participant involvement in recording biodiversity.
We believe thriving woodlands create thriving people. We’re committed to protecting both.
Reaping the benefits of peer support
From the conversations we’ve been having with people we support, we know that people are feeling more disconnected than ever. Loneliness and social isolation are becoming some of the biggest challenges of our time. By forging new connections between people, we’re able to improve the impact our work has. We help people to connect so they can make new friends, change unhelpful habits and build their self esteem.
Deep and varied expertise from people who care
The Green Light Trust team is a diverse mix of people with in-depth knowledge and lived experience. We’re proud that our knowledge base is so diverse and we’re able to deliver truly person-centred support that celebrates the breadth and depth of our shared knowledge. But the thing that connects our team is how much they care. Everyone is invested in creating better outcomes for the people we support and the natural environments we inhabit.
How we measure outcomes
We carefully track and monitor our work so we can demonstrate the impact we have on the people we support and the natural world. Not only do we carry out annual reporting that demonstrates our impact, we constantly review how we’re supporting people, the impact we’re having on our environment and what can be done to improve it. To understand the scale of our reach, learn more about impact and the work we do.
Beyond Green Light Trust
We’re proud to say that the people we support through our health, wellbeing and education programmes go on to an improved quality of life. This looks different for everyone, which is why we’re so committed to taking a person-centred approach. The skills learned and friends made journeys with people into their everyday lives. We are not the solution, but a part of the journey that reconnects people with themselves and others, all through the power of nature. Learn more about our impact to understand why our work is so critical.
Green Light stories: Meet the people we support
LEARN MORE ABOUT US
OUR HISTORY
Since 1989, we’ve been transforming the lives of children, young people and adults. Read our story over the last 35+ years.
OUR CAMPS
We work from our beautiful woodland sites across Norfolk and Suffolk. Our activities are led by our team in woodland camps using nature to support people.