Rooted · Forest Therapy
Not a hike. A homecoming.
“Nature isn’t ‘out there’, it’s right here, in the cracks of the pavement and the flow of the Severn. Our urban Forest Therapy sessions give you space to pause, breathe and remember you’re part of it.”
In Worcester
Slow time in the parks, woods and the river’s edge.
Shinrin-yoku
So what actually is it?
Forest Therapy, rooted in the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, is guided, slow time in nature. Not exercise. Not mindfulness as a productivity hack. Just you, the outside world, and a series of gentle invitations to pay attention. We call our sessions Rooted, because that's what this is about. Feeling rooted in yourself, in community, in the ground beneath your feet.
The research is compelling: time in nature lowers cortisol, eases anxiety, and reconnects us to a sense of belonging in the world. But you don't need to know any of that. You just need to be willing to show up.
Our sessions are small, unhurried, and led by Leisa, who comes to Forest Therapy through thirty years of youth work and community development. She's a qualified practitioner, a safeguarding lead, and has spent decades showing up in Worcester for people who don't always get shown up for. Whether you're dealing with stress, disconnection, or just a persistent feeling that something is missing, this might be it.
A session, loosely
No two sessions are the same, but here’s the shape of a typical two-hour Rooted walk.
Arrive & Slow Down
We begin with a threshold moment, a chance to leave the noise of the day behind. There's no agenda, no itinerary. Just a gentle invitation to notice what's already here.
Wander & Wonder
You’ll be offered a series of open invitations, not instructions. Walk, sit, lie down or simply stand still. Let your senses lead. The trees don’t care if you do it ‘right’.
Share & Sit Together
Every session closes with a circle and a warm drink. We share what we noticed, not what we thought, not what we achieved. Just what we noticed. That's enough.
“I came for the walking and left with a quieter head. Nothing was asked of me, and somehow that changed everything.”A Rooted participant, Worcester
Practicalities
The practical bit
Who is it for?
Anyone. Genuinely. Especially people who think they ‘don’t like nature’. Pre-session conversations help us make sure the experience works for you, whatever you’re carrying.
Where does it happen?
In Worcester's parks, along the Severn, and in the overlooked green edges of the city you walk past every day. Everywhere is a forest if you look slowly enough.
What should I bring?
Clothes you can move in, footwear that doesn't mind mud, and whatever level of curiosity you can muster. We'll bring the rest, including the tea.
Is it safe?
Yes. Our sessions are led by a qualified Forest Therapy practitioner, fully first-aid trained, with a thorough risk assessment for every site. You'll be looked after.
Community first
Pricing
Community session
A public walk in Worcester's parks and green spaces, priced to stay accessible. Come to an upcoming date on your own or with friends.
Suggested prices
These prices are suggested — the fair amount if you can afford it. If not, pay what you can when you book.
Organisation session
A private, bespoke session for your workplace, team or group, shaped entirely around your people. Organisational rates are set a little higher — one session funds around 12 community pay-what-you-can spots.