TY - JOUR

T1 - Nature is just around us! Development of an educational program for implementation of nature-based activities at a crisis shelter for women and children exposed to domestic violence

AU - Poulsen, Dorthe Varning

AU - Lygum, Victoria Linn

AU - Djernis, Hanne Gro

AU - Stigsdotter, Ulrika K.

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Being in nature and doing nature-based activities has been shown to reduce stress-related illnesses such as trauma and post-traumatic stress disorders. In 2016, the crisis shelter Danner in Denmark decided to implement a programme based on the therapeutic use of nature as a recovery method for their residents: women and children exposed to domestic violence. This was done in collaboration with the research group of University of Copenhagen. This paper describes the objectives of the project, the development of an educational programme and the implementation of nature-based therapy. The Danish model for qualifications in education developed by the Danish Ministry of Education was the overall structural framework for the programme. The education programme contained four overall elements: (1) a theoretical part on the nature–health relationship; (2) performance and development of practical nature activities in collaboration with staff; (3) case stories about the challenges of implementing nature-based therapy for the residents in the crisis shelter; and (4) the implementation phase of nature-based therapy at Danner. Developing qualifications related to the use of nature-activities and the use of nature-environment might be useful for social workers and strengthen their competences in their work with battered women and children.

AB - Being in nature and doing nature-based activities has been shown to reduce stress-related illnesses such as trauma and post-traumatic stress disorders. In 2016, the crisis shelter Danner in Denmark decided to implement a programme based on the therapeutic use of nature as a recovery method for their residents: women and children exposed to domestic violence. This was done in collaboration with the research group of University of Copenhagen. This paper describes the objectives of the project, the development of an educational programme and the implementation of nature-based therapy. The Danish model for qualifications in education developed by the Danish Ministry of Education was the overall structural framework for the programme. The education programme contained four overall elements: (1) a theoretical part on the nature–health relationship; (2) performance and development of practical nature activities in collaboration with staff; (3) case stories about the challenges of implementing nature-based therapy for the residents in the crisis shelter; and (4) the implementation phase of nature-based therapy at Danner. Developing qualifications related to the use of nature-activities and the use of nature-environment might be useful for social workers and strengthen their competences in their work with battered women and children.

U2 - 10.1080/02650533.2019.1703659

DO - 10.1080/02650533.2019.1703659

M3 - Journal article

VL - 35

SP - 159

EP - 175

JO - Journal of Social Work Practice

JF - Journal of Social Work Practice

SN - 0265-0533

IS - 2

ER -