Events
Nature, Health, & Wellbeing Ireland are delivering 2 workshops on Forest Therapy and Nature & Mental Health at this amazing outdoor event on 6th-8th July 2018. For more information click below:
http://www.field-studies-council.org/individuals-and-families/courses/2018/tm/outdoor-learning-symposium-2018.aspx
Shirley will be part of an international training team, training Forest Therapy Guides in Devon UK on May 20th-27th 2018. This one week intensive course is followed by a six month practicum. http://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/guide-training-overview.html
Shirley will facilitate a 6 week Nature and Wellbeing Programme on Monday mornings (10-12pm) from 20th February '17 in the award winning Powerscourt Gardens in Wicklow. This programme is suitable for anyone who may be experiencing stress, mild or moderate depression or anxiety. This is a rolling programme so it is possible to join at any stage. The programme will include mindfulness activities in nature, stress management techniques, gentle physical activity (green exercise), nature connection activities, expressive arts and group processing. This is a very unique programme and based on the most up to date scientific research on nature and health. Booking is essential and group is limited to 12 people. Cost E25 per session (excluding entry fee to gardens) or E125 for 6 weeks. Contact Shirley_gleeson@hotmail.com or 087 9320914
Two hour Forest Therapy walks ( also known and Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing) will take place on 10/06/18, 24/06/18, 15/07/18 from 10-12pm in various forests in Dublin and Wicklow. These are very gentle walks and encourage participants to slow down, awaken your senses and reconnect with nature. These walks are recommended for anyone who wants to promote their health and wellbeing, reduce stress levels, improve sleep and reduce anxiety levels. Booking is essential. Email shirley_gleeson@hotmail.com or ring 087 9320914. Cost E25 per walk.
Shirley facilitated an Ecotherapy walk in the beautiful sculpture parklands of Lough Boora for Offaly Mental Health Week.
Shirley completed a six week Forest Therapy Intervention for her MA in Health Promotion with NUIG (National University of Ireland, Galway) during June- August '16. The intervention took place in forests in Dublin and Wicklow. This is the first research of its kind in Ireland. The full title of the research is " A mixed method feasibility study of a Forest Therapy intervention for adults who are experiencing stress". The results indicated statistical significant improvements in participants stress levels, rumination levels and well-being.
Shirley facilitated the "Take Notice" section of the 5,000 Steps to Wellbeing walk in the beautiful Avondale Forest, Co Wicklow for World Mental Health Day. The walk was organised by Coillte and Mental Health Ireland. For details click here.
Shirley was an assistant trainer for the first European Forest Therapy training with Sky Maria Buitenhuis &M. Amos Clifford at the 7 day training in Co Clare in June 2016. For further details click: here. Following the training, Shirley will mentor participants from the U.S, German, Ireland, Spain and Portugal for their six month practicum.
Shirley will present a talk on the therapeutic benefits of nature at the GMIT Outdoor Education Conference 2016 in Mayo on 22 April 2016. For further details click: here.
Shirley will present a workshop on the therapeutic use of nature in promoting mental health at the Festival of Outdoor Learning in Wicklow on the 17 April. Further details can be found here:
