Recovery Through Nature John Deeney – Recovery through Nature Scotland

Back to Nature…. RtN takes service users/peer mentors/mentees out into nature rich settings to engage them in practical conservation work as part of a therapeutic team Away from our usual treatment settings and into a natural, outdoor environment Groups go out 1 day a week, and engage for about 12 weeks. Available to both residential and community groups Participation is voluntary Recovery through Nature is about engaging with the earth physically, as well as spiritually.

“Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees… while cares drop off like autumn leaves” John Muir,  Very pure therapeutic intervention  It takes the Therapeutic Community outside  Genuine conservation work is done  The wilder the place, the better… …beautiful yet often alien places  Everyone benefits- Service Users, our partners, the local community and Phoenix Futures

Back to Nature… Academically underpinned- ‘Back to our roots’ (Wilson, 1984) - ‘Humans have an innate affiliation with nature’ Biophilia hypothesis (Wilson, 1984) - ‘Interacting with nature is good for us and has healing qualities’ Ulrich, 1984; Kaplan, 1995; Clinebell, 1996; MIND, 2007; NHS, natural therapeutic environments facilitate restoration and recovery …Nature is known to have healing and restorative qualities

“…between every two pines is a doorway to a new world…” John Muir, Task Environment Relationships Theoretical Model, Hall, 2003 Task – producing something positive, visible and permanent Environment – working in nature rich settings Relationships – team working away from traditional settings Service users place themselves within this model. One factor may be more influential for a person than another It is powerful in the way it works to increase both self esteem and confidence. It enhances people’s belief in their ability to change

Partnership Working Partnerships are fundamental to the success of RtN We work with national conservation agencies and many local ones… John Muir Trust, RSPB, Forestry Commission Scotland, North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council We shape ourselves around our partners and work in-line with their management plans. We want to be of benefit to our partners, not a hindrance.

Gerry McAuley - Area Reserves Manager, Strathclyde & Ayrshire Reserves “RSPB’s on going partnership with Phoenix Futures is a perfect fit with our social inclusion policy which promotes opportunities to connect with nature in a way that is accessible to as wide an audience as possible. At participating reserves an incredible amount of work has been undertaken by Phoenix Futures service users making a huge contribution to biodiversity and a healthy environment rich in wildlife. Their commitment to assisting us with work on our reserves has been both invaluable and rewarding in equal measure”. - It underpins the fact that we are making a genuine difference to the environment.

Outcomes In … There was a 44% increase in completions for those who participated in RtN There was a 55% improvement in retention in treatment for those who took part in RtN There was a 10% average improvement in physical and emotional health for those who complete RtN whilst in treatment : 385 service users participated in RtN : 467 participated in RtN : 483 participated in RtN

Outcomes Nearly 30,000 volunteer hours were delivered to our local communities this year.

John- “its therapy by stealth” Paul - “RtN helps you reconnect with something that is healthy and natural” Sarah- “the hard work pays off…. I feel exhilarated, alive and well” Dave- “Today, I feel free, thank you mother nature”

The Natural Step forward… RtN is a lot of work and needs the right partnerships: On a practical level it’s about carrying out work that wouldn’t normally get done. Managing natural habitats, working on paths, recording what’s out there, etc. But it goes beyond the practical. Way beyond. Being outdoors begins to work on the service users. They relax, the feel more comfortable and things happen. Laughter, discovery, fitness, learning and a sense of pride, identity and ownership all emerge. Attitudes change, service users become more aware of the importance of the environment. The public we meet, and also work alongside, gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding addiction. It really is a win-win situation. Mike Brady – South Lanarkshire Council

The Research… Phoenix Commissioned a 3 part evaluation of RtN ‘An Evaluation of the Recovery through Nature programme; a therapeutic intervention for substance misuse’ Findings: Initial findings back up Halls theoretical model, 2003, in that people connect to the task, environment or relationships aspect of RtN. Observations showed that each group was different in what they connected to the most. RtN certainly changes lives in that it works to connect participants back with the world, something they couldn’t do when they were in addiction, it has helped them develop structure and their confidence and ability to communicate with others. Treatment/ therapy still continues out in the wilderness; these are subtle processes conducted through peer interaction and through the role of the RtN staff lead who is an integral part of the RtN programme. The next step: Final part of the evaluation is going to be longitudinal and study the overall effectiveness of RtN. We are currently liaising with Professor Richard Mitchell, co- director of the Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health from Glasgow University, to establish a longitudinal, follow up evaluation that links into national health and social data registries in order to track progression of clients that have completed RtN.

Thank you Any questions