Natural Academy in North Somerset has launched a wintering well event series aimed at providing seasonal support and giving people a chance to reflect and connect with nature this December.

Based at the Penny Brohn Centre in Pill, Natural Academy provides training and services in nature and health with events throughout the year grounded in nature-based practices.

The WinterWell event series begins with a three-day retreat ‘Welcoming the Dark’ on 11-13 December. Taking place as we move towards the Winter Solstice, the event invites attendees to embrace the winter, Hygge time, within Natural Academy’s beautiful indoor and outdoor space at Ham Green.

Taking inspiration from Norway’s Friluftsliv, a year-round commitment to nature connectedness, the event hopes to inspire the same health, well-being and happiness as evidenced by the Norwegian way of life, in which physical and mental health is benefitted from staying connected to nature in winter.

Guests will have their own room, enjoy healthy meals with yoga, relaxation, activities, nature connection and solo time over the course of the retreat. All within the 10 acres of wilder and beautiful land at Ham Green.

Michéal Connors, one of the facilitators, said: “Drawing on terms like Hygge, Cluthar and Friluftsliv, we will guide you on a compassionate journey to embrace darkness at this time. Think fire, song, music, good food, star gazing, hot drinks, storytelling and finding a community.

“We have beautiful wilder land for people to roam as well as a river nearby. Through relaxing and inspiring practices that bring us deeply into our self we will explore how the threads that weave us can be gathered in these dark, winter times. Time to tend to this more dreamy time of year. It is a mix of nature immersion, support for the body and soul and deep time in reflection.

“We want people to see that there are as many activities in winter as in summer. In Norway, 90% of people surveyed said they were less stressed and in a better mood after spending time in nature and the country has been ranked as one of the happiest in the world. It’s a new way to experience the darkest months of the year.”

The retreat will culminate in a Winter concert open both to retreat participants and anyone else who would like to join.

‘A Winter Embrace’ is the academy’s annual nature-inspired concert - a gathering of songs, music and nature; a journey into wintertime, the embrace it offers and the contemplation it brings. Guests will relax into listening to the original songs, music and words of the musicians, having time to connect to themselves, others and nature.

This event, which has proven popular in recent years, will raise money for the academy’s NatureWell programmes in aid of people affected by cancer.

Michéal continued: “This is a time to come together in a beautiful space in Winter. A space that holds us in this time of 'hug' which in ancient Norse meant the time of soul. This is the time of year we have always gathered around a fire, connected to the stars and night skies and felt the embrace. A time of everyday togetherness where we can be spontaneous, relax, listen to songs, poetry, music in a deep connection to self, others and nature.

“Performances will come from The Land, musicians who listen intuitively to the land, to how this shapes songs, music, words and rhythm. They create a space with their music which offers a connection to a relaxing, open, meditative and moving environment.”

Taking place from 6.30pm-9pm on Wednesday 13 December, tickets for ‘A Winter Embrace’ cost £18.

For more information about the ‘Welcoming the Dark’ retreat visit Eventbrite.

For more information about ‘A Winter Embrace’ visit Eventbrite

Natural Academy is a not-for-profit community interest company founded in 2008 and is the first dedicated ecopsychology educational institution in Europe.

It provides a pathway for individuals to grow a career in working with people in nature for health, healing and deeper purpose.

Natural Academy runs training courses, online training and workshop days and it also developed the NatureWell approach which is the foundation of a national programme in health, working within the NHS.