2-day Outdoor Course in Edinburgh

Nature Connection Specialist

Forest Therapy Hub accredited

Do you support clients, patients, students, children or other people in your work?

Would you like to add nature connection to your professional toolkit?

Then join us for this 2-day professional training course to learn about nature connection as a tool to improve wellbeing.

The course will give you an understanding of how nature connection can benefit the people you work with (and yourself), and you will learn ways to weave nature into your professional practice.

It includes eight model activities, some of which we’ll practice during the course, plus 60 downloadable activity summaries for future use.

We will spend most of the two days outside in the garden area of the Salisbury Centre (central Edinburgh) to practice and discuss different ways of engaging with nature.

You will gain:

  • Certification as Nature Connection Specialist (NCS) from the Forest Therapy Hub

  • a set of practical activities ready to use

  • knowledge of the benefits of nature connection and how to design your own activities

Importantly, you’ll experience two full days with like-minded people in a beautiful outdoor setting, cultivating and deepening your own relationship with nature.

No previous experience required.

Next Dates: 28th & 29th August 2025, 9.30am-5.30pm

Venue: The Salisbury Centre, 2 Salisbury Road, Edinburgh EH16 5AB www.salisburycentre.org/

Cost: £350 (this includes a £50 certification fee)

Limited to 10 participants

Trainer: Dr Hannah McNeilly

More information: info@coille.scot

Feedback from participants…

“Great variety of activities and approaches. Lovely group dynamic, and I enjoyed that there was plenty of opportunity to share experiences and ideas with everyone.”

“We were gathered together in such a gentle way. Hannah really embodied everything she was teaching us.”

  • Module 1 - Overview of Nature Connection and its Benefits

    Gain a clear understanding of the connection with nature, its benefits for physical, mental, and social well-being, and the importance of creating supportive environments that foster meaningful experiences.

  • Module 2 - Cultivating Nature Observation Skills

    Develop greater sensory awareness and learn practical nature engagement tools. Learn about biophilia and the Five Paths to Nature Connection and apply these concepts in practice.

  • Module 3 - Facilitating Group Activities

    Learn how to offer Nature Connection Activities and lead reflective discussions. Understand group dynamics, create safe and inclusive environments, design adapted activities and use language that promotes positive experiences.

  • Module 4 - Application of Nature Connection in Practice

    Learn how to integrate Nature Connection activities into professional practice and collaboratively design outdoor activities tailored to different contexts to enhance participant engagement and improve wellbeing.

What will you gain from the course?

Outcomes

  • Create a supportive and safe environment for nature-based experiences

  • Apply ready-to-use activities in your work

  • Design your own nature-based activities

  • Promote a greater sense of connection with the natural world through your professional practice

BONUS

Upon completion of the course, the FT Hub provides one-year access to:

  • online learning material

  • regular lectures with international speakers

  • discounted training prices

More feedback…

“It was so informative, uplifting, useful, so satisfying.”

“Hannah demonstrating activities and techniques really helped me learn by seeing and experiencing. Developing a plan and delivering an activity really gave me confidence that I can do this and forced me to step out of my comfort zone and grow. Hannah helped create a safe space which is really important for me.”