Space to reflect in nature
With compassion at our core, Dorothy House is committed to minimising the environmental impact and carbon footprint connected to our care out in the community and on our estates. Here, we share the difference ways the Hospice offers a space to reflect in nature.
Connecting with nature in a sustainable and compassionate way
As part of a wider Dorothy House ambition to open up the gardens to anyone wishing to find a space to reflect in nature, or to find serenity in grief, this partnership offers the wider community the opportunity to benefit from being more connected with nature in a sustainable and compassionate way.
Benefits of connectedness in nature
For those who are grieving, connectedness in nature can offer many benefits and aid healing, such as:
- It can remind us of the continuum of life and that we and our loved one are still part of something greater than ourselves that goes on existing without us.
- It provides a place and space to attend to our grief without intrusion from the ongoing demands of work, family and everyday responsibilities.
- The sights and sounds of nature can offer distraction from a cycle of difficult thoughts.
Impact of nature on wellbeing
“With a vast network of 1,500 woods and forests attracting hundreds of millions of visits annually, we understand the profound impact of nature on our wellbeing.
We also know that sometimes it’s not possible to visit a forest. That’s why we created our virtual forest wellbeing videos, allowing users to experience the benefits of forest bathing from anywhere. Whether you’re seeking a moment of calm or looking to support others on their wellness journey, our videos offer a transformative experience.” – Forestry England
Nature and grief
When discussing the importance of a space to reflect in nature, nature has long been considered important for people’s mental health. For example, 73% of UK adults surveyed in the Mental Health Foundation’s YouGov poll said that connecting with nature was important in terms of managing their mental health during the pandemic.
Find out more about ecotherapy as a nature-based approach to healing.
Sustainability at Dorothy House
As part of our organisation-wide commitment to sustainability, the partnership with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is an exciting next step. By working together and implementing the five pathways strategy to promote connectedness to nature, we hope our beautiful grounds at Dorothy House will provide welcome solace to anyone experiencing grief and bereavement.
Improving biodiversity
We will work closely with the Trust to not only improve connectivity to the wider natural landscape, but also improve the biodiversity on our grounds, such as the creation of our beautiful grassland meadow, which attracts pollinators such as butterflies and bees.
Perhaps our Firefly Woods is your special space to reflect in nature?
You can learn more about how we are working towards becoming a greener Hospice below.
Compassionate partnerships
Visit our Firefly Woods
Our Firefly Woods contain a beautiful constellation of individually handmade ‘Fireflies’, kindly gifted by world-renowned artist Bruce Munro. A unique large-scale light installation nestled throughout the woods here in the grounds of the Hospice in Winsley. Each Firefly is made up of tiny separate lights, which glow together, leaving a huge impact.
Each light can be dedicated to the life of someone special and will shine brightly in their memory. Your light will be allocated to you for a full year. If you wish, you can choose to renew your dedication once the year comes to an end.
Interactive Nature Trail
Situated just off the public footpaths from the Kennet and Avon Canal at nearby Avoncliff or Limpley Stoke, the Dorothy House Interactive Nature Trail in Winsley is a perfect spot to take a pause and learn more about the incredibly bio-diverse species found in the calcareous rich grassland meadow.
As a Hospice, our vision is of a society where death is part of life. Through its seasons, nature reminds us of the fragility of life and offers peace and solace from sadness and overwhelm. The Dorothy House Interactive Nature Trail is the next step in our ambition to open up the site to anyone wishing to find a wellbeing space to reflect in nature, or to find serenity in grief.
Dorothy House Community Map
Our interactive digital map has been created to support, empower and connect local people facing isolation, a life-limiting diagnosis, caring for someone at the end of life or anyone experiencing anticipatory grief or bereavement.
Whether you’re seeking support for themselves or looking for ways to help others, the community map is a symbol of our commitment to reducing isolation and providing care and support to more people in the community.