The benefits of the countryside for people with mental health problems are being considered in a new project.

Manx Wildlife Trust is working with Praxis Care and Mindfulness Mann to find out how getting out and enjoy the great outdoors can help people’s wellbeing.

The project will help pilot work to measure the benefits to mental health and also give opportunities to the public to engage with mindfulness.

Adam Denard, ecologist and wellbeing project officer at Manx Wildlife Trust, said: ’This project is split between giving new opportunities for Praxis Care service users to experience the "feelgood" factor of nature and wild places for their mental well-being, and the wider issue of connecting people to something that transcends day-to-day human problems.

’I have personally found nature and the outdoors to be of great benefit to my mental well-being.

’It can induce a child-like wonderment that can be hard to find in adult life. I look forward to sharing that with others as a positive influence within the island community.’

The Manx Lottery Trust has contributed £8,000 to the project.

Wild mindfulness sessions are being arranged. Sessions will be free.

The trust’s website is www.manxwt.org.uk