Clare Martin: Wilderness Foundation

Originally Jo Roberts, CEO of the Wilderness Foundation UK, intended to give today’s presentation. As she was hosting visitors from the Wilderness Foundation in South Africa, Clare Martin ably took her place.

The Wilderness Foundation was founded by Dr Ian Player in South Africa in 1976. Wilderness Foundation UK followed several years later and, together with its sister organisations in Africa and America, became a founding partner of Wilderness Foundation Global.

Wilderness Foundation UK is based in Chatham Green, where it acquired 400 acres of agricultural land which it returned to woodland. Recently it bought Mann Wood near Great Leighs. It has 12 permanent staff, over 40 volunteers and a similar number of associate therapists. The services it provides include:

• nature therapy, helping those of all ages with mental health problems through outdoor activities and therapeutic support;
• education on environmental issues, provided in the outdoors;
• alternative education programmes for those with special needs or those who are being home-schooled and might find the Foundation’s programmes beneficial;
• opportunities to work on environmental projects.

So far the Foundation has helped nearly 4,000 people. It receives referrals from the NHS for nature therapy but unfortunately the referrals don’t come with any extra funding. The Foundation relies on fund-raising and donations from well-wishers. Clare expressed their appreciation of the support it receives from our Club.