PEOPLE going through depression, anxiety or loneliness are being offered a free nature-based course aimed at improving their mental health.

The move is part of a new NHS drive on preventative medicine, with an emphasis on helping people help themselves.

Community group Planet Purbeck has been awarded funding from NHS Dorset to conduct a pilot scheme in the area.

The result is a nine-week course called Thrive In Nature, run free of charge by wellbeing experts Sara Greenwood and Jane Woods.

Sara, whose services under the name Vibrant Earth include “nature and forest therapy”, said: “If you’re feeling anxious, depressed, lonely, isolated or living with a long-term health condition this could be the course for you.”

Participants in the programme, which will run on Wednesday mornings across January, February and March, will be given opportunities to work creatively with natural materials such as clay and leaves.

And there will be walks, talks and moments of contemplation in the glorious Purbeck countryside.

Sara said: “We are aiming to create a small, friendly, supportive and understanding group to help with stress reduction and build resilience. The focus will be on self-care and fostering positive changes in day-to-day living.”

Both Sara and Jane, who runs Jane Woods Coaching to “help people navigate the ups and downs of life”, are active supporters of Planet Purbeck.

Jane said: “We hope this course will enable people to feel less alone and will provide strategies to boost wellbeing for those living in the Purbeck community.”

The NHS prevention plan seeks to reduce the burden on hospitals and other services by encouraging individuals to take action through supported self-management.

A crucial part of the scheme involves funding local projects, in this case via the Dorset Community Foundation.

Planet Purbeck’s co-leader, Rob Waitt, said: “It is an honour for us to be delivering such a course for the NHS, in which we all have a stake. And we are confident those who take part in it will emerge with new hope for the future.”

For more information email thriveinnaturepurbeck@gmail.com or go to planetpurbeck.org.