Branching Out

Branching Out

Branching Out is an outdoor nature based programme of activities for any adult 16+ who use mental health, alcohol and drugs services or have a long term health condition in Dumfries and Galloway.

Branching Out is delivered by the DGOWL group in partnership with Scottish Forestry, Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Find out more information about Branching Out by clicking here

Branching Out – Referral Inclusion Criteria

Branching Out is for adults 18+ living in Dumfries and Galloway who;

Are receiving support from mental health services and organisations
Are recovery ready from problem substance use
Have one or more health conditions
Feel socially isolated
Are resettling from another country
Have experienced domestic abuse
Want to improve Numeracy skills

Branching Out – Programme Details

Branching Out is a 12 week programme for a group of 12 participants.

Each week, participants will take part in 3 hours of woodland activities (see below for example activities).

Branching Out – Activities

Activities are adapted to suit the group, site and time of year, and may include:

nature connection activities such as sit spots, listening to birds, and relaxing in hammocks
putting up a tarpaulin shelter
fire lighting, foraging and campfire cooking
environmental art such as photography and willow sculptures
conservation activities such as rhododendron clearance and bird box construction
gentle exercise such as a short walk and some stretches or tai chi

On completion of the programme participants receive a certificate of achievement.

Branching Out – How much does it cost?

Branching Out is free as programmes are funded by the UK Government. Participants are provided with waterproofs, boots and socks that will be theirs to keep.

Tea, coffee, biscuits and parking are provided at no cost.

Support with transport can be provided.

Branching Out – Making a Referral

Referrals are welcome from all local;

Mental health clinical and community services/organisations
Alcohol and Drugs services and organisations
Services and organisations supporting people with long term health condition(s)

Alternatively, you can self-refer into Branching Out if you meet the referral inclusion criteria stated above. If you are unsure or would like more information, please email DGOWL.

A service/organisation referral and self-referral form is available below.

Branching Out_Service Referral Form

Branching Out_Self Referral Form

NHS staff emailing Branching Out with any confidential information must add [SECURE] to the email subject line to encrypt the information, this means it cannot be opened by anyone else if it is intercepted.

On receipt of your referral form, Branching Out will confirm your place. Please do not attend unless you have had a place confirmed by DGOWL. All personal information is treated in the strictest of confidence.

Branching Out – Where and When?

Programmes run every spring and autumn at different forest locations across Dumfries and Galloway.

There are six upcoming Branching Out Programmes. Summary information is shown in the Table below. Further details can be found in programme flyer below.

More information on venue accessibility is detailed below.

Venue	Location	Start date	End date*	Time	Cost	Transport**	Outdoor Clothing
Taliesin	Near Castle Douglas/Gelston	Wednesday 11/09/24	Wednesday 03/03/25 (TBC)	10am – 1pm	Free	Free from Castle Douglas town centre to Taliesin return	Available free on request
Taliesin	Near Castle Douglas/Gelston	Wednesday 11/09/24	Wednesday 03/03/25 (TBC)	1:30 – 4:30pm	Free	Free from Castle Douglas town centre to Taliesin return	Available free on request
Mabie Forest (First 6 weeks at The Wild Playground)	Near Dumfries	Tuesday 10/09/24 – 15/10/24 at The Wild Playground 22/10/24 onwards at Mabie Forest	Tuesday 04/03/25 (TBC)	10am – 1pm	Free	Free from Dumfries town centre to Mabie Forest return	Available free on request
Mabie Forest (First 6 weeks at The Wild Playground)	Near Dumfries	Tuesday 10/09/24 – 15/10/24 at The Wild Playground 22/10/24 onwards at Mabie Forest	Tuesday 04/03/25 (TBC)	1:30 – 4:30pm	Free	Free from Dumfries town centre to Mabie Forest return	Available free on request
Mote Wood	Nr Dunragit, Stranraer	Thursday 19/09/24	Thursday 13/03/25 (TBC)	10am – 1pm	Free	Free from from Stranraer Shore to Mote Wood return	Available free on request
Mote Wood	Nr Dunragit, Stranraer	Thursday 19/09/24	Thursday 13/03/25 (TBC)	1:30 – 4:30pm	Free	Free from from Stranraer Shore to Mote Wood return	Available free on request

* Planned end date – subject to change with School holidays. Dates will be discussed/confirmed with services/participants.

**Participants welcome to travel independently

Branching Out Information Sheet – Coming Soon

Venue Details – Accessibility and Toilet Provision

Please email DGOWL with any questions regarding venues and accessibility. Every effort will be made to remove barriers to participation (e.g. programme duration, transport etc)

Venue	Access	Toilet
Mabie Forest	Our Meet up is at the Carpark. There is a short walk (approx 5mins) down to our main site along a good path.	Toilet block 5 minute walk away
Mote Wood	Drop Off point at wide layby at entrance to wood, short, flat walk along narrow path to main site.	No toilet on site, more information provided.
Taliesin – Castle Douglas	Our main site for our base is less than 300yrds (300m) from the drop off in a small car park. A single-track road is crossed then you will go up a wheelchair accessible path which has a gentle slope ending in a flat area followed by a steeper slope for the last 20 yards.	There is a compost toilet which is wheelchair accessible.

Branching Out – Service Information

A member of the Branching Out Team will contact with you on receipt of your referral form, to confirm your place and provide more details.

Services can request a small group taster session. Please email DGOWL.

Branching Out – Participant Information

Starting a new programme can feel daunting. Don’t worry, our Branching Out Leaders will create a relaxed and informal environment.

Participants will be invited to attend an optional online Zoom session to find out more about Branching Out before it starts. You are welcome to bring someone with you to the meeting.

Meeting the instructors:

The video below provides some really helpful information about coming prepared to Branching Out.

The final video lets you hear from previous participants about their experiences of Branching Out.

Branching Out – More information

For more information on Branching Out please email DG OWL