Nature's role in health and wellbeing is a primary part of PKCT's education strategy - we know how important it is to our mental, physical and emotional health. Since supporting the Perth and Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership this year, we have helped to work with providers to see how we can use nature as just one of the pieces, in helping survivors of gender-based violence through their healing process. 

On the run up to the annual 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence campaign, we were delighted to be invited to take part in the Healing to Hope workshop - a session for survivors and service providers, with a focus on this year's local theme of #Hope. 

Ahead of the session, I created a Session Plan, using some of the Create activities from our Wild Journey programme, as well as others that I have used in previous workshops to teach about health and wellbeing. These work well together, and when you don't have an outdoor space (as was the case on this occasion) you can bring the outdoors in! I collected some leaves and sticks for the arty tasks, and brought in books and picture sheets, to provide more inspiration and information.

The art workshop came after a powerful and emotive story from a survivor of abuse - Cilla's Story, and it was inspiring to see how well Cilla had coped and continued on her healing journey. As a supporter of the partnership, it is always helpful to learn and be reminded of the trauma that women who work with the partnership have gone through - and to be mindful of this, in the activities and approach we are taking. 

Attendees choose their materials for leaf printing from the PKCT nature craft table. 

During the workshop, we started out by making clay animals, and I was very impressed with the array of creatures that appeared on tables after a few minutes! We left these to dry so that everyone could take them home and paint them at a later stage. Then it was time for some leaf printing, using the leaves to create patterns, shapes and colourful art works. I always enjoy seeing the intricacies of the leaves' structure, and how well the different tree species work as printing materials. Finally, there was time to have a go at some nature poetry. I always try to incorporate the written and performing elements of creativity, and this is also in our Wild Journey programme as the "Write and Perform" stream. Some people find they can engage with words better, while others prefer drawing or painting - and this was true in the first poem that was completed, which conveyed exactly that! 

The results of some creative leaf printing, and a clay wildcat! ©Gameeda/Perth Soroptimists

Once the workshop was finished, we had a coffee break and finished off the event with a peaceful guided meditation session by Violet Dalton. Everyone had a great time, and we received positive feedback about how the interactive way in which we had connected nature with arts and crafts and wellbeing, had inspired people. 

Violet, Cilla and Catherine at the end of the Healing To Hope event © Gameeda/Perth Soroptimists

I have already had enquiries for future events for service providers within the partnership, and I am looking forward to seeing how we can continue to help people to feel the powerful benefits of nature, to their health and wellbeing.