Taking Action for Mental Health: GetOut Outdoor Learning CIC
Posted: 12 May 2026, in News
This Mental Health Awareness Week we’ve been talking to our members about how they are taking action to support mental health.
We spoke to Holly and Chloe, Facilitators and Directors at GetOut Outdoor Learning CIC, a social enterprise based in East Lothian that provides outdoor learning services for adults, families and charities.
Can you give us a short description of your social enterprise?
GetOut is a community interest company which provides outdoor learning and forest therapy sessions for families, adults, schools and charities across East Lothian. Our vision is to spark positive change for people, communities, and planet through reconnecting with nature. We believe that everybody, regardless of age, background, gender or race can feel comfortable and confident outdoors, connecting with nature. We want everyone to feel the physical and mental health benefits that being in nature brings, and to educate on the importance of looking after the more-than-human world and ourselves.
What does community mean to you in the context of taking action on mental health?
For us, quality time is pivotal to mental health. The term community gets used a lot these days, but for us it has to involve an in-person element. Our community are the pairs of people who show up with one another to spend a bit of time properly talking and listening.
How does your social enterprise take action to support mental health in the community?
Our events hold space for light-hearted, fun conversations between two people who care about one another. Taking the time to have these chats are the essence of our relationships. So that we’re close to the people in our lives, through the good times and the struggles.
How do you take action to look after your own mental health?
Since we started working outdoors, we’ve both become acutely aware of the profound positive impact that being outdoors has had on our own mental health, and the mental health of others. This has become our main form of self-care, ensuring that even on our admin days, we take time to GetOut, even if it’s just for a short walk.
Have you faced any challenges when taking action around mental health in your work?
There is currently a lack of knowledge surrounding the benefits of green prescribing. One study showed green prescribing to be more cost effective than traditional talk therapy, often with comparable results.
What recommendations do you have for how communities and organisations can take more effective action to support mental health?
Working together is the first step in supporting mental health. Speaking to other third sector organisations and knowing, and understanding the services they provide, is vital when signposting clients. Talking openly about mental health issues and how we can prevent and support them is also crucial.