THE founder of a local mental health charity is calling on residents to recognise the value of the natural world around us.

Many people have found solace in the outdoors this year, particularly at the height of lockdown, when it was the only escape from the four walls of home for most people.

As a result, Chip Ponsford, a counsellor who founded mental health charity Heart Wood, feels we should be doing more to support the natural world, which has supported many people during the coronavirus pandemic.

He pointed out that nature is under threat due to the effects of climate change.

Chip: "Many of us are able to get out and walk dogs, take kids to play in woods or notice wildlife through the window.

"There are many things we do in our great Northumberland nature and it is easy to take the natural spaces in which we do these things for granted.

"Nature is struggling too. We live in one of the most nature-depleted countries on earth and the climate and extinction challenges are huge and cause significant psychological distress."

Chip is well aware of the positive effect nature can have on our mental health, and has pioneered a unique form of woodland therapy available right here in Northumberland.

His charity was launched last July, following the successful outcomes of pilot schemes completed by himself and fellow pyschotherapist Rab Erskine, along with the Northumberland Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS).

Heart Wood works to improve the mental health of people, focusing on men, through woodland-based, person-centred counselling and therapy.

In February, the charity was awarded an £87,712 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to run two ecotherapy groups a week, as well as training more therapists who will then be able to offer similar sessions.

Chip has called on residents to do more for nature when outside.

He continued: "Whilst it is common and wonderful to notice the beauty of a single flower or a view, it is the realisation of the connectedness of everything that can give us a sense of belonging which is so important for mental wellbeing.

“An important question to ask ourselves is ‘what has nature given me?’ and then to ask ‘what can I do to give back to nature?

"If we can develop a more give-and-take relationship with nature then our own, and the ecosystem’s wellbeing, will be better.

“I like throwing acorns into brambles at this time of year.

"The brambles stop the young saplings getting grazed by deer.

"Oak trees are wonderful to look at and they support around one hundred other species and living creature."

Chip is a counsellor and psychotherapist who has 10 years of experience working with a broad range of people.

Heart Wood was built on the success of a 2019 pilot project entitled "Ecotherapy Group for Men who identified with suffering with depression."

The core programme includes an ecotherapy group meeting in private woodland.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the charity is currently offering weekly "holding connection" exercises with participants who signed up for 2020 groups.