Forest Therapy 2024

Are you caring for someone with cancer? To acknowledge our carers during National Carers Week 2024, the Patient Experience and Wellbeing Team invites carers to this free special event of a 2 hour Forest Therapy Session and afternoon tea.

Forest Therapy, also referred to as Shinrin-yoku (Japanese for ‘forest bathing’ or ‘immersion in the forest’) is a research-based Public health practice of guided immersion in forested surroundings with the aim of promoting mental and physical health whilst relaxing and enjoying nature.

It involves combining nature based mindful, sensory, and creative exercises in an outdoor setting. The benefits include a boost to our immune systems, better sleep, increased vitality, reduction in blood pressure, better stress management and emotional regulation.

Join us for a fully guided Forest Therapy experience at the Royal Botanical Gardens and afternoon tea.
We will be providing transport from Peter Mac on the day, but attendees are welcome to organise their own transport or make their own way there.

**Due to limit on spots, this event is only open to current carers of Peter Mac patients, and is limited to 2 tickets per booking (2 carers per patient) **

Accessibility:

We want this event to be as inclusive and accessibile to as many carers as possible, therefore we do ask you identify any accesibility needs at the booking stage in the add-on section.

Please note, Forest Therapy will involve walking approximately 1.5km within the 2 hour session. Much of this will be on concrete pathways but will also involve walking "off-road" (on grass/off path). Parts of the Royal Botanical Gardens are steep, but we will accomodate and adjust as best we can based on indidvidual booking requirements.

It is also important to consider the weather may impact conditions so please consider this with appropriate clothing and footwear. We will keep you updated with weather expectations in the days leading up to the event.

This is an approximate scheduele for the day TBC.

09.20AM Depart Peter Mac

09.50AM Arrive at Visitor Centre (meet those making own travel arrangements)

10.00AM Forest Therapy session begins

11.50AM Traditional Tea Ceremony

12.00PM Forest Therapy ends

12.15PM Lunch/Afternoon Tea at The Terrace

2.00PM Transport back to Peter Mac