Campfires, woodcraft and companionship are the winning ingredients for an innovative mental health project in York, discovers MAXINE GORDON

TORRENTIAL rain is falling all around, but Rob is smiling. He's one of half a dozen people sitting on foldaway chairs, under a makeshift tarpaulin and around a roaring campfire in the woods at Rawcliffe Country Park in York.

Everyone is grateful for the shelter – and the warmth from the flames. There is sustenance too, in the form of cups of tea poured from a giant black pot hung over the fire, and warm, spiced bread sticks, which have been patiently baked on long green sticks held over the slow-burning embers. Later, sweet potatoes are wrapped in foil and baked in their skins, and steamed chocolate puddings follow for dessert. One guy has even warmed up a tin of baked beans and sausages, which he tucks into heartily.

It's early afternoon and people are hungry after spending the morning fixing a hedge and working in the woods.

They are all part of Kindlewoods, an innovative wellbeing and environmental social enterprise that works with people with mental health problems.

The youngest member today is a 20-year-old university student, who asks us not to reveal her name. She has suffered from mental health problems since the age of 11 and is studying part time in York. She says coming every Thursday into the woods is hugely therapeutic and helps her practise mindfulness – living fully in the moment – in a much more meaningful way than other methods she has tried.

"I used to be in the cadets and really enjoyed outdoors stuff. Kindlewoods has helped bring my confidence up. It is something to look forward to every week. I enjoy coming here; it's time out when I don't have to think about all the stress outside.

"We practise mindfulness, which I can use day to day – and it's more helpful learning it here, outside, than sitting in a classroom with lots of people. We also did some walking mindfulness which has really helped me. I can go for a walk between lectures and practise."

Rob Foster, 58, has been coming to Kindlewoods for two years and is now a volunteer. He suffers from depression and says the project has helped him hugely."I'm functioning, and I have got my sense of humour back," he says, with a wide smile.

Like other members, he has learned various practical skills such as how to make a fire with just flint and sticks, and basic woodwork. He loves it and says it has reconnected him with a creative side that was long buried.

"At the first session, we lit fires without using matches and made steam puddings on the fire – much like today. It was like the Boy Scouts and Ray Mears and I realised I loved doing this!"

Rob is also involved in the environmental side of the charity, volunteering to help conserve local woodlands.

Kindlewoods was set up by Katie Rees seven years ago. She had struggled with her own mental health and discovered she felt better when being outdoors in nature.

"I had a head injury that gave me chronic pain and fatigue and I found it difficult to work. I learned about mindfulness and nature, went out for walks, learned about climate change and how a project could bring those things together."

Katie later developed post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a break-in at her home and has also been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). "We all have challenges," she says. "It's about problem solving and finding ways of making life interesting and worth living and having a sense of purpose.

"We have got to look after ourselves, we have got to look after each other and we have got to look after the environment."

Kindlewood sessions are free to take part in and the scheme is supported by various grants. Katie says people with a range of problems attend, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD and borderline personality disorder, as well as folk with ADHD and autism, who often face mental health challenges too.

"It is helping people's lives and has changed them significantly," she adds. "People have blossomed with confidence. Many people have become volunteers who have previously really struggled and not been able to leave the house. One person has gone on to uni to study creative writing."

The problems people face are varied, she adds, with the common ones being low mood, social anxiety, and social exclusion and feeling misunderstood.

Katie is in the process of applying for more money so the scheme can continue after April. She is also looking for volunteers to join the board, including a new chairperson and someone experienced in fundraising.

She said: "We are looking for funding to enable us to continue the development of our work. Do you know an organisation who might be interested in a woodland wellbeing programmes for their clients, or a trust fund who would support us to in helping us work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health challenge?"

She said securing cash was vital "so we can continue to support people and make a difference to peoples lives – and build on the skills people already started to acquire.

"If we have funding we can really move forward and grow our programmes."

Coming up in 2019:

Next course:

The next taster session will take place on March 7 followed by a six-week programme 'Bushcraft and Mindfulness' on Thursdays from April 4, 10am-12.30pm. People can book via kindlewoods.com. There is no cost to this course because it is fully funded through the City of York Council Mental Health Activities programme.

Woodland outdoor dining:

Teaming up with a chef with over 12 years of experience in fine dining, Kindlewoods is offering unique team days out where people can help to coppice the woods and enjoy an outdoor woodland dining experience; light a fire from natural tinders, craft their own cutlery and get involved with a range of different campfire cooking techniques.

Find out more: kindlewoods.com