Recovery
Recovery through Nature (RTN)
RTN is an innovative and effective therapeutic programme delivered by Phoenix Futures in Derbyshire, designed to support individuals in recovery through practical conservation and horticultural work.
Engaging in meaningful outdoor activities as part of a team not only supports mental wellbeing and relapse prevention but significantly increases successful treatment completion rates among participants.
The Power of Nature in Recovery
RTN harnesses three powerful catalysts for change:
* The Activity
Participants carry out purposeful, hands-on conservation work—projects with visible, tangible outcomes. As one participant put it:
“We’re not just building fences for the sake of it… we are conserving land. There’s a purpose.”
* The Environment
Nature is more than a backdrop—it’s a partner in recovery. Participants don’t just spend time outdoors, they actively improve and care for natural spaces, gaining a sense of achievement and connection.
* The Communication
RtN promotes peer support, teamwork, and communication in real-world settings. Participants bond through shared tasks and honest conversations, creating strong, supportive networks that extend beyond the programme.
Benefits of RTN Include:
• Improved self-esteem, confidence, and mental wellbeing
• Reduced risk of relapse
• Increased treatment engagement and completion
• A safe, enjoyable space for reflection and growth
• Support for teamworking and practical skills development
Recovery Through Nature in Derbyshire is available in High Peak (Buxton), Chesterfield, Erewash (Ilkeston & Heanor) and Swadlincote
Wherever it’s delivered, the programme creates safe and engaging learning environments where positive change feels achievable and real.
Recovery through Nature | Phoenix Futures
Read Our Recovery Through Newsletters
Our Recovery Through newsletters have been co-designed, co-developed, and co-produced by the people who attend the Recovery through Nature project.
These newsletters offer real insight into the experiences, reflections, and successes of participants—written in their own words and shaped by their own journeys.
You can read them here:
March 2025
Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in how nature-based therapy works in practice, these newsletters are an inspiring and honest window into the power of community, nature, and lived experience.
How to Get Involved in Recovery through Nature (RtN)
1. If you’re already accessing support via the Derbyshire Recovery Partnership Service
The simplest way is to ask your recovery/treatment worker to refer you to the Recovery through Nature programme as part of your treatment plan with the Derbyshire Recovery Partnership (DRP).
2. If you’re accessing support from a Recovery Project in Derbyshire
You (or your support worker) can make a formal referral by contacting the Derbyshire Recovery Partnership’s Single Point of Access Hub
Call: 01246 206514
This route ensures your interest in RTN is officially registered and considered within your existing support plan.
3. If You Want to Volunteer with RTN
You can apply directly to join as a Recovery Through Nature Volunteer with Phoenix Futures, which operates within the Derbyshire Recovery Partnership
To view and apply for current vacancies, visit the Current Vacancies section on the Phoenix Futures
Your situation |
What to Do |
Already in DRP support |
Ask your recovery/treatment worker to refer you to RtN |
Supported by any recovery project in Derbyshire |
Contact the DRP Single Point of Access on 01246 206514 to request referral |
Want to volunteer with RtN? |
Apply via Phoenix Futures—you will need to be out of treatment with DRP; see vacancies online |