Leicestershire and Rutland PCC invests in forest therapy to support domestic abuse victims
The programme is giving people the chance to build confidence, learn new skills and build strong support networks
A £10k grant from Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland's PCC is helping local people recover from domestic abuse through forest therapy sessions.
The project is delivered by Root Out and Branch CIC and has been running for 10 years. It allows survivors and people who have experienced domestic abuse to surround themselves in a safe space.
The sessions are held in a rural forest in Oakham, allowing people a space to safely express emotions, social development and gives people a chance to build new skills.
The initiative fills a significant gap in domestic abuse support services in the area and promotes support networks for both the young people learning and for mothers forming survivor networks.
Real impact:
Two single mothers and domestic violence survivors have built a deeply supportive bond after meeting each other during the programme.
The relationship has been central to their recovery and is evidence of the programme’s transformative, wider community impact.
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said:
“This project harnesses nature’s healing power to transform lives and it continues to achieve phenomenal results."
The PCC provided a £10k grant to the organisation to support its delivery in 2025/26 and has been impressed with the impact of the sessions on young people’s emotions, social development and skills building throughout the year.
He added:
“Services like these are struggling under the weight of economic pressures and scarce funding opportunities, but they really are critical for the health and wellbeing of victims of crime, including the most vulnerable"
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is one of six key priorities in the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan.
He is determined to ensure Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is a place that women and girls feel safe and has invested significant funding into projects that help recovery and prevent future crime.