Nature
We want to help you grow
Our unique collaboration with other organisations across Somerset, Devon and Dorset allows us to offer innovative outdoor experiences and opportunities to improve your wellbeing and mental health.Â
How you can be involved
We work closely with other organisations to facilitate trips out to farms and wellbeing retreats for our members, as nature is known to improve your mental health.Â
You can join in with our activities that range from tree planting, pruning, animal care, habitat creation, ditching and building leaky dams.Â
Many of our outdoor activities go hand in hand with our Peer Passports, allowing you to gain skills along the way and keep a record of your achievements. Our partnership with the Blackdown Hills Nature Network works with local farmers, including at Folly Farm at Dommett, Dennings Down Farm near Axminster, and Creative Beings near Honiton.Â
Collaborative working & recent trips
We work closely with environmental and nature-based organisations and charities to deliver a range of activities for our members outdoors in nature.Â
The Blackdown Hills Nature Connections network. It is a group of individuals, spaces and organisations who provide nature connection activities to support mental and physical health and wellbeing.Â
Somerset Wildlife Trust are are a science-led movement focused on restoring habitats to support a wide range of wildlife and restore natural processes that are essential for healthy landscapes across the county.Â
Magdalen is 132 acres of organic farm and nature reserve on the banks of the River Axe where Dorset, Somerset and Devon meet. Our members have visited many times over the years for conservation activities.Â
Dennings Down Farm is a much-loved place for our members to visit. The farm is located near Axminster and has been organic since 2001.
Trip to Chard Reservoir – May 2026
WATCH members visited our Local Nature Reserve, Chard Reservoir, in May. There are many different habitats around the reservoir, and the wildflower meadows are home to pignut, yarrow, orchids, red clover, and many buttercups.
We visited a couple of ponds where we spotted baby newts and butterflies, and we also saw where they hope to create a natural fence line. We helped feed the birds with mealworms and suet balls, and there were even plastic bottles placed on strings to deter squirrels from stealing from the bird feeders
Â
Magdalen Farm – November 2025
On a blustery November day, WATCH members visited Magdalen Farm near Winsham for tree planting and craft making. Members also spent time near the River Axe learning more about biodiversity and environment restoration.Â
Members also spent some time with the animals at the farm, including the pigs, chickens – and the mischievous goats!
Dennings Down Farm – September 2026
Members from WATCH CIO enjoyed their first free nature session on Monday, 14 September, hosted at Dennings Down Farm on the Somerset/Devon border.
The session was the first in a series of four consecutive sessions to take members out into nature and to boost their confidence, learn new skills and meet new people.