The Blossom Project
Tackling domestic violence through nature
Blossom is a nature-based group therapy programme, set up to empower children, teens and adults who have experienced/witnessed domestic abuse. Participants will learn strategies for self care, and understanding of how to process the past and build new futures, working closely with the University of Essex to monitor and evaluate outcomes and help guide the content and future of the programme.
I absolutely LOVED Blossom. In fact I feel incredibly emotional about the whole experience. Thank you so much to The Wilderness Foundation for giving me the chance to be part of such a special group. And the HUGEST, GINORMOUS thank you’s to Nicola & Kate. I hope that one day I can show them, and you all how grateful I am by giving back.
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Adult Women Groups
Participants develop the tools and strategies through the programme to move their lives forward positively. The programme nurtures resilience building and healthy relationships, boundaries and non-violent communication tools. The project is facilitated by outdoor therapists who provide support for participants who have experienced trauma through domestic violence and consequently, can have complex needs that continue to hold them back in life. We help create a warm and supportive environment where they can spend time with others who come from similar experiences, with the goal of becoming independent and free of abusive relationships in the future.
The project team offer a safe environment in which to talk and share, where clients find their voice to begin their own healing. Additionally, we engage groups in outdoor cooking, bushcraft and survival skills and art therapy techniques. A graduation ceremony follows at the end of the 10 weeks and we encourage our adult group to stay and support each other into the future, with or without our support. We also offer a Men only adult support group for victims of domestic abuse.
Children (7-12) & Teens (13-17) Groups
Participants are referred to us due to their experience or witnessing of domestic abuse. The programme will support them to understand their past, learn what they are responsible and not responsible for, help develop boundaries, improve resilience and build their own skills in how they can manage themselves positively and work towards building healthy relationships. The project is trauma informed and young people will, through art therapy, play, group therapy, learn skills and techniques to manage themselves and the trauma they have experienced.
The project is run by two experienced outdoor counsellors and participants will learn skills in bushcraft and survival techniques, outdoor cooking skills, nature crafts, and when available outdoor volunteering such as tree planting or conservation. A graduation ceremony follows after completion of the 10 week programme. We work systemically with young survivors and advocate on their behalf with school and family, social care and other referrers during and after the programme.
COHORTS FOR 2026
Blossom 1
WOMEN 18+
WOMEN 18+
Starts: TUES 24th FEB
Ends: TUES 12th MAY
FULL
Blossom 2
13-15yrs
13-15yrs
Starts: WED 25th FEB
Ends: WED 13th MAY
FULL
Blossom 3
7-10yrs
7-10yrs
Starts: TUES 28th APR
Ends: TUES 7th JUL
FULL
Blossom 4
Bespoke
Starts: THURS 30th APR
Ends: THURS 9th JUL
FULL
Blossom 5
11-12yrs
11-12yrs
Starts: FRI 1st MAY
Ends: FRI 10th OCT
FULL
Blossom 6
7-10yrs
7-10yrs
Starts: MON 28th SEPT
Ends: MON 7th DEC
Referrals open
Blossom 7
WOMEN 18+
WOMEN 18+
Starts: THURS 1st OCT
Ends: THURS 10th DEC
Referrals open
Blossom 8
11-12yrs
11-12yrs
Starts: TUES 29th SEPT
Ends: TUES 8th DEC
Referrals open
“Thank you to everyone at the Wilderness Foundation. You all do such amazing things! Thank you to Jo and everyone else from the Blossom Project. Not just for the opportunity but for everyone’s kindness. It helped me remember the outdoors is such a freeing and healing place. I even found a friend for life! I really did enjoy it even if I didn’t give off those vibes. One day I want to return to help someone else change their life for the better!” TN, 30
FUNDED BY
The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex – Violence and Vulnerability Community Safety Fund
This programme has been developed by survivors of domestic violence who understand the unique support required.
