What the project intends to do is help service personnel with mental injury. It draws on the theories of Ecopsychology which states that there is a proven benifit from close contact with nature in all its forms. Soldiers with mental injury suffer from various symptoms both psychological and social. 1. A reduced self-worth. 2. A feeling of being inadequate within the family group. 3.unable to function in a group environment The candidates would spend a week in the wood in groups of 4 a standard military formation. This would be split into teams of 2 this would allow for conversations to take place whilst carrying out the coppicing tasks. Discussing their issues and strategies they use to mitigate these problems. This project is not to be a survival exercise but as the coppice season is Oct. to March the weather could be a challenge. The fact that conservation of woodland environment is in part, the answer to a greater global issues, will address the decrease in self worth.

What we'll deliver:

• Conserve over a period of two years a plot of Ancient woodland.
• Teach coppicing skills, and give experience of same
• If funds exist allow for formal conservation skills courses
• Help improve the mental health and put forwards strategies to cope with the individuals issues.

Why it's a great idea:

The benefits of the project to the individual candidates are many they may not of thought of a career in conservation, which will/may address employment issues and in turn aid in rectifying financial issues. The project would give an insight to these career prospects. The community would benifit to, the initial woodland is well served by footpaths given that it is boundried by the 'Wardens way' subsequent owners of woodland to be conserved would need to commit to a community value i.e footpath or small picnic area. For access to the projects resources. This again would benifit the candidates mental health. The candidates family grouping would be welcome to use the initial woodlands facilities, in a bonding therapeutic manner. Every part of the project should benifit both candidate,their families and the general community.

Steps to get it done:

• Successful funding of a team of 4 to allow project to begin
• Subsequent funding pledges to allow 4 teams to complete project
• To receive positive feedback fromm candidates
• To complete initial woodland conservation

We have over the covid pandemic have managed to raise enough funds to buy all the tentage and equipment to allow the project to proceed. We need funds to allow candidates to attend for free as one of the issue of this type of mental injury can be financial insecurity. We also aim to cover any discrepancies in clothing for example waterproofs. We would cover these and after use the items would go into a pool, for future candidate needs. We have costed each candidates stay at £250 this would cover food,camp upkeep,repairs and fuel ( we have purchased a 4.5 kva generator. Staffing.I myself am an ex soldier and on leaving after qualified as a nurse, another ex soldier is a qualified mental health nurse. The final two members of the team 1 is again ex military with good knowledge of mental injury. Oversight of the project is given by a retired psychotherapist consultant. We aim once fully operational to offer the project to the various military care entities.