At Walk Wheel Ride, we’re proud to spotlight people and groups across Kirklees making the outdoors more welcoming, inclusive, and healing for everyone. In this Community Story, we meet Support to Recovery (S2R)—a mental health and wellbeing charity offering creative and nature-based activities—and learn more about their transformative Great Outdoors Project.
Who are S2R?
S2R Support to Recovery is an independent charity based in Kirklees. They provide people with opportunities to get creative, try new things, connect with others, and benefit from the power of nature. Their sessions include aromatherapy, gardening, upcycling, sewing, wellbeing workshops, and outdoor experiences—all in safe, welcoming environments.
They are a commissioned Community Adult Mental Health service provider and proud members of the Working Together Better Partnership in Kirklees.
The Great Outdoors Project is a key part of S2R’s offer. Whether it’s mindful walks, outdoor volunteering, eco-crafts, or allotment sessions, the project helps adults take their first steps into nature—sometimes literally. It’s about finding joy, purpose, and confidence outdoors.
We spoke to Jason Kerry, Manager of the Great Outdoors Project, to learn more.
An Interview with Jason Kerry
What inspired The Great Outdoors Project, and why do you think nature-based activities are so beneficial for mental health and wellbeing?
Sometime around 2012 evidence was starting to emerge that connecting with nature was linked to improvements in our mental health. At the same time the country was going through austerity and there was a move towards local councils working more closely with volunteers to look after green spaces. So in 2013 the first incarnation of TGO was designed and commissioned by Kirklees Council as what we now call a social prescribing project, to link people who might be presenting with mental ill health with existing groups such as Friends of Parks to improve their wellbeing.
Over the years it became clear that many people might need a little more help to start volunteering in Greenspaces than simply an introduction and a few accompanied visits, that more people could benefit from being more closely connected with nature than those who come to us through clinical services and that there are more ways to connect with nature than digging a ditch or planting a tree. As a result TGO started to deliver a wide variety of in-house sessions drawing on the skills and passions of our facilitators and the interests of the people who were attending. We moved our focus towards including as many people in Kirklees as possible in connecting with nature and discovering its wellbeing effects as a form of early intervention and prevention for mental health.
Can you share a success story or a memorable moment from the project that highlights its impact on participants?
There are so many story’s great and small through the history of the project and we know that we don’t always hear about all our positive influence. Sometimes we do, there was the man who emailed to say thanks for the sessions and that he was now a tour Guide at Niagara Falls, participants that have gone on to be key members of Friends of Parks groups, people who have found their way into employment or new friendship groups.
But one great story is Cherry’s. Cherry had become quite poorly and isolated. She lived with chronic pain and had periods of limited mobility, depression, frustration and exhaustion. During lockdown she imagined a different way forward and started to attend activities with us at Support to Recovery.
Cherry is a walker and an artist, who takes inspiration from the natural world, but hadn’t really experienced it in the company of other people. She says, “When I started at S2R, it was like I had unlocked a secret level! I was overwhelmed by the kindness of new friends with shared interests, like I’d gained a new support system overnight.”
She told us “My life has changed so much as a direct result of these sessions! I’ve made lots of friends through the S2R groups.”
As Cherry’s confidence has grown, she became a volunteer with us and eventually joined our staff team, so she is now able to help others along the journey she has taken.
Here is what she says about the outdoors and her wellbeing:
“I’ve realised how vital being outdoors is to my wellbeing. Before, I think that still felt quite abstract but now I know it’s something I can do easily every day.”
What kinds of activities can people expect when they join, and do they need any prior experience to get involved?
We are open to any idea that connects you with Nature as the science shows us anything from climbing mountains to having a picture of a plant in your office can improve your wellbeing. We try to have something for everyone. Some people are ready for a hike and others might want to make natural soaps or candles indoors. We have obvious things like walking and growing groups but also garden upcycling, nature identification, conservation volunteering, foraging and bushcraft or art in the park.
We like to mix it up and bring in partners with special skills like EPIKS did last week with the Doctor Bike sessions alongside the Repair Café Volunteers. That way we have a broader offer. Whatever we do, the service is aimed at adults and we usually work in small groups and we try to create a friendly atmosphere.
How have you seen people’s relationships with nature change through their participation in the project?
Many people who join us are quite caught up in their own thoughts, our sessions offer a space away from all that. The first thing we see is that people start to become more aware of what is around them, this is a first step towards being more in the moment and the practice of mindfulness. We like to offer sessions to people who might not be thinking about the link between nature and our wellbeing and bring in new ways of framing things so it can appeal to a broader demographic.
Recently we have been working with Moonlight Trust on Dewsbury Country Park and with a school in Batley to think about the importance that the Qur’an places on our environment and how we treat it. We find that once people notice the benefit that nature has for them and their families then they start to put a value on it. When they start to value it and see how it all links together, they might start taking steps toward positive action around climate change. But it all starts with taking time out to notice it in the first place which is not always easy when there are so many other demands on our attention.
What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant about joining but could benefit from spending more time outdoors?
I can assure you that we are a friendly bunch, but I know that starting a new endeavour can be daunting for anyone particularly if your confidence is a bit low. So, we have put a few things in place to make it easier for people. First of all you can check out our website www.s2r.org.uk and social media to see what we are all about and watch our video about the things we have been doing lately:
If that whets your appetite then you can pop in and see us at our Base at Brook Street Huddersfield on a Wednesday Morning between 10:00 and 12:00 noon. It’s better if you book but you can just drop in. You can meet the team and we can give you a tour of the building and tell you about what we do. There’s no commitment that way. If you don’t like it you can have a cup of tea and we will wave you off, but most people will feel happy then to look at booking onto something. Maybe you can bring a friend or family member with you. Who knows they may book onto an activity as well!
If you have any questions, you can call us on 07933 358 800 10:30am – 3:30pm weekdays and we can talk you through anything that might be getting in the way of you coming. If you can work in a small group setting independently or you have someone who can support you to do that then these sessions are for you.
I think it’s important to say again that the service is for all adults. It’s good for your wellbeing whether you’re on top of the world and looking for a new experience or you have a diagnosed mental health condition because getting out and connecting with Nature and each other is good for us. We look forward to hearing from some of you.
A big thank you to Jason Kerry and everyone at S2R for helping to make nature more accessible, welcoming, and healing for people across Kirklees.
Get Involved with Walk Wheel Ride
Walk Wheel Ride is all about making walking, wheeling, and cycling accessible to everyone. Whether you’re looking for inclusive routes, local activities, groups to join, or inspiring stories, we’re here to support you on your journey.
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