Eco Activities / Therapy

Work With Animals

Nature & Wildlife Activities

Bespoke Programmes

Eco Based Activities or Ecotherapy 

Ecotherapy can involve a series of activities, which are not strictly structured. Within ADO Therapy, these activities take place at our therapeutic centre, in 6.4 acres of mixed Woodland, and Farmland. Animal Activities, Gardening, Conservation Projects, and Outdoor Meditation are only some examples of the types of eco based activities provided by ADO Therapy. It is the assessment of a service user which helps us design a beneficial programme incorporating the interests and needs of each individual.

With regards to the benefits of eco based activities, there is increasing evidence supporting a link between these activities and improved mental health, in particular, the following areas have been highlighted as the ones benefitting:


Resilience: According to a 2018 review of studies (Summers & Vivian, 2018), it had been shown that children living in rural areas displayed greater resilience to stress, higher levels of self-worth, and improved concentration as well as cognitive abilities. Creativity and a strengthened sense of self were also shown to be improved through engagement with outdoor activities. 

Trauma focused work: A 2017 review (Poulsen, 2017) emphasised the potential benefits of eco based activities for people presenting with symptoms of emotional trauma, especially for those who have difficulty following other treatment programs or find them unhelpful. 

Nervous System Recovery: There is evidence suggesting that the exposure to the sounds of nature can help the nervous system recover faster from stress (Alvarsson, Wiens, & Nilsson, 2010). 

Improved Well-Being: Better moods, increased sense of calmness, feelings of belonging, and a deeper understanding of one’s mental health have also been supported by relevant evidence (Summers & Vivian, 2018; Pieters, Ayala, Schneider, Wicks, Levine-Dickman, & Clinton, 2019). 

Finally, there is increasing evidence, which are yet to be supported more robustly through research, supporting that eco based activities increase people’s motivation to exercise due to the fact that most of these practices entail some type of body movement. In turn, movement and exercise can help improve sleep and other aspects of physical health. 
We are very fortunate to be able to provide a specific service which embodies all things ‘eco’ within such an urbanised area of which we are based. Our setting truly is a force of ‘nature’.