Nature connectedness – Dorothy House’s Interactive Nature Trail

As a Hospice, Dorothy House’s 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. Their ambition is to open up the site at Winsley, Bradford-on-Avon, to anyone wishing to find a wellbeing space to reflect in nature, or to find serenity in grief.

Dorothy House Hospice Care’s recently opened Nature Trail is a perfect spot to pause and reflect; to connect with nature through engaging with the trail.

“The Dorothy House Interactive Nature Trail is phase one in the ‘Winsley House Place’ Project to make our Winsley estate accessible and attractive to our patients, families, staff, existing supporters and wider community. It is also a physical articulation of our vision of a society where death is a part of life and a space where anyone who has experienced grief can reflect and find peace.”

Wayne de Leeuw, Chief Executive, Dorothy House Hospice Care.

Connectedness to Nature

The connection between wellbeing and nature is well documented, with a great deal of research and evidence now available to support the positive effects of time spent in nature.

However, contact with nature is not the same as connection with nature. While contact with nature is important for our general health, connection plays a much more important role in our sense of wellbeing.

In the early 2000s, researchers at the University of Derby began seeking to understand this relationship – the level of closeness, or ‘connectedness’ to nature in more detail. In the years that have followed, this concept has been developed with a view to understanding how we can improve levels of connectedness. The result of these studies was the theory of the ‘Five Pathways’: a framework to help bring about a closer relationship with nature.

·       Sensory contact with the natural world

·       Finding an emotional bond with, and love for, nature.

·       Taking time to appreciate the beauty of nature.

·       Thinking about the meaning and signs of nature

·       Showing compassion and care for nature

Engaging and connecting with nature and death

As well as learning lots about wildlife habitats, throughout the Dorothy House trail visitors can access an augmented reality app, which opens up a world of fascinating facts and animations. Using a mobile phone, visitors can take selfies with the resident creatures, discover more about the natural cycles of life and death, and learn about the range of species found in the preserved wild grassland meadow.

Families seeking to go tech-free can opt to try out nature rubbings created by the Hospice’s Creative Arts Therapists and explore the fascinating life cycles represented on the eight interpretative trail boards.

From impressive Yellow Ant eco-engineers to UK Fireflies, Bechstein Bats and cucumber-scented herbs, there is much to wonder at whilst enjoying the stunning views across the Wiltshire valley.

Children especially will enjoy the nature trail. In a survey of 102 pupils conducted by the Hospice with Abbeyfield School, Chippenham, 95% stated that they enjoyed nature trails. With many explaining that they were “calming,” “relaxing,” “peaceful,” they could “learn about nature,” “see trees and plants in different seasons” and that they ensured “spending quality time together.”

Art installation

The trail incorporates the stunning light installation, Firefly Woods, created by internationally renowned artist, Bruce Munro and that features 800 fireflies; each one a constellation of separate small lights dedicated in memory to a loved one who has died.

A sustainable success

Thanks to the minimal disruption to the lower grassland meadow, Dorothy House Hospice Care has not only successfully sequestered a large area of soil carbon, but preserved a unique habitat for invertebrates, diverse grasses, bats and birdlife. Accessed by carefully carved out pathways, visitors can discover more about the impact of rewilding and consider ways in which they too can create biodiverse habitats in their own gardens.

A space to find peace, solace and to connect with nature

In nature, we see the harmony of life and death, with death supporting life, not diminishing it. Dorothy House’s Nature Trail provides peace and solace; somewhere you can find space to reflect and remember, and connect with nature.

To learn more about the connection between nature and wellbeing, visit our Research Library.