Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, ease anxiety, and improve overall mental health. But not everyone finds it easy to access green spaces or feel confident engaging with the outdoors. That’s where Nature Buddies come in, offering a one-to-one connection that brings the benefits of nature to people in a way that’s accessible, personal and meaningful.

Nature Buddies are trained volunteers that provide one-to-one or small group support to help individuals gradually build confidence and enjoy engaging with nature. By encouraging participation in nature-based activities and helping participants overcome barriers, Nature Buddies tailor their support to what suits each person best. The support offered can be short-term or ongoing and includes planning and taking part in activities together, helping participants take steps towards a healthier, happier life.

We would love to hear from you if you are an organisation that would like to host Nature Buddies, if you’d like to volunteer as a Nature Buddy or if you are a Health Care Professional looking to refer into our Nature Buddies service.

There are two types of Nature Buddies

Organisational Nature Buddies
Volunteers are based in nature focussed groups across Dorset, like gardening clubs and environmental charities who support individuals in outdoor activities. They encourage regular participation and help build confidence in natural settings, aiming for participants to eventually engage independently.

Community Nature Buddies (from home)
Volunteers provide one-to-one support to help people connect with nature from home, this could be through local walks, visits to heritage sites or home-based activities like gardening. The goal is to build confidence for independent engagement with nature. They are coordinated by Volunteer Centre Dorset.

Please email Kate and Jules at stepin2nature@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call Kate on 01305 228246. Please note Kate and Jules are part time and may not get back to you immediately. Thank you for your patience.