Jon Willoughby
Nature-Based Occupational Therapy
Wellbeing and learning through outdoor activity in Essex
info@jonwilloughby.co.uk
07834 228772
Jon is an HCPC and RCOT registered occupational therapist. He specialises in supporting children and adults with mental health needs and/or neurodiversity, leading supported work experience placements, and running home education and adult learning groups.
His sessions and assessments use:
- bushcraft
- woodwork
- horticulture
- mindfulness
- arts and crafts
- wildlife identification
- conservation
- animal care
- music/drumming
- & outdoor sport
Jon has extensive experience as an outdoor therapist and also works for a large London mental health charity. He is a qualified mindfulness teacher and holds a counselling diploma. Jon has undergone additional training in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, trauma-informed practice, managing challenging behavior, mental health first aid, managing anxiety in children and adolescents with autism, suicide prevention, therapeutic thinking, and all requisite compliance courses (e.g. safeguarding). He is licensed to use the Sensory Processing Measure-2 and Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool.
Before becoming an OT, Jon had a successful 10-year career as a pop musician. He lives locally with his wife and son.
Nature-Based Therapy Sessions
All sessions are led by Jon and tailored specifically to the strengths, needs, abilities and goals of participants. They take place in the grounds and woods of Bennison Farm Community Supported Agriculture, Thorrington CO78HT. They generally run outdoors but there is shade and shelter for adverse weather. Farm sessions can be either weekly or fortnightly.
Referral Process and Prices:
Initial phone consultation
Free
Initial 30-45 minute visit to Bennison Farm
£65 £25
2 x one hour acclimatisation sessions
(no commitment)
£65 £55 each* (one-to-one)
£22.50 £17 each* (small group)
Series of 6 one-hour sessions
£65 £55 each* (one-to-one)
£22.50 £17 each* (small group)
*Current discount due to part-funding from a charitable benevolent fund.
Make a referral by emailing info@jonwilloughby.co.uk or calling 07834 228772
Additional Services
Home Education Groups
Please contact to discuss
Under-11s Group: fortnightly on Wednesdays 2:00-3:30.
11-17 Group: fortnightly on Thursdays 1:00-2:30
Occupational therapy assessments
Please contact to discuss
Occupational therapy assessments take place in the farm’s relaxed, non-clinical, and natural environment. Assessments can be used as supporting evidence for EHCPs, PIP applications, or whenever expert professional clinical input is required. Sensory Processing Measure-2 and MOHOSTs available.
Supported work experience
Please contact to discuss
Suitable for those trying to build skills and confidence for employment. Gives a supported and realistic introduction to work in horticulture/agriculture.
Coming soon
Please contact to discuss
Mobile nature therapy sessions (ideal for schools, hospitals or other settings)
Therapy dog sessions
Home visits
For any queries, email info@jonwilloughby.co.uk or text/call 07834 228772
Testimonials
“You have a very calm, thoughtful and special way with the young people you work with, Jon, and I will always be immensely grateful for the time and care you have given the boys.”
– MOne-to-one sessions:
“I’ve had the most incredible support from OT Jon”
– A One-to-one sessions:
“I have spoken to a number of people throughout the years and Jon has been by far one of the best people I have had the pleasure of dealing with and pouring my heart out too. His wise words, encouragement and the help he has given me during my awful few months have just been second to none! Honestly could not of got through this without him.”
– ROne-to-one sessions:
“It has always been a pleasure working with you in our sessions, your professionalism and dedication has certainly benefitted me and enhanced my well-being and my quality of life has been much richer as a result. I now have great hopes for the future due to the therapy I’ve received from you.”
– G One-to-one sessions:
“A HUGE thank you for all your support in my transition into motherhood. You have given me so much strength”
– SOne-to-one sessions:
“You’re quick bright and proactive, you are the difference that makes the difference and I’ve made more progress in the last few weeks than I have in many years.”
– AOne-to-one sessions:
“This group’s got me doing things I hadn’t done in months”
– AGroup Sessions
“Other groups have felt like they have a ‘cookie cutter’ approach and they try to fit you into a box, this one’s been different, and it’s been so nice not to feel alone.”
– DGroup Sessions
“It’s been a really supportive group, really nice”
– FGroup Sessions
“Thank you so much for being my mentor. You have been very kind and patient and if anyone else has you for a mentor then they will be as lucky as me.”
-TMentoring
“Thank you for presenting yesterday’s workshop. It was really interesting and very professionally presented. Gave me lots of strategies for helping existing clients to whom I provide telephone support . It was very important to know what the NICE Guidelines mandate to help us advocating for clients.”
– ETraining Delivery
“Fascinating presentation!!! Thanks for all the work you invested, and providing us with this thought-provoking workshop.”
– Y Training Delivery
“We really enjoy your approach and setting”
T and MParent and child
“It’s like school but much better!!”
M1:1 Sessions
“We’re really seeing the boost in his self esteem that doing these sessions is giving him”
FParent of 1:1
“What stood out most was not just the practical OT input but how joined-up and proactive the support felt — Jon helped me access the right help at the right time and never made me feel like I was navigating things alone. I am deeply grateful for the care, professionalism, and humanity I experienced working with Jon”
C1:1 Sessions
“You are amazing and A LOVES the sessions you put on so really thank you to you!”
NMother of group participant
“Our students are responding so well to these sessions, your levels of engagement are legendary!”
SENCOLocal Specialist School
(All testimonials are verified and published in accordance with consumer rights law)
FAQs with Jon
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is ‘therapy through doing’, as opposed to ‘therapy through talking’. OT also focuses on people’s lived experience of health, so we work collaboratively with people to help them live life more as they’d want to. The title is legally protected by the HCPC so only those with certified training and registration can practice as OTs. There are over 40,000 OTs in the UK, most work in the NHS or social care, but they can be found in a wide variety of settings doing all sorts of roles. OT’s work must include activities proven by evidence to be effective.
Is nature-based occupational therapy right for me?
Probably, yes! I have successfully worked with clients aged from 4 to 74 with a wide range of life experiences, such as autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, loneliness, isolation, selective mutism, PDA, complex trauma, and enduring mental health diagnoses. I also work with home-school groups and those simply interested in learning more about outdoor activities and enjoying nature. If you’re unsure, please feel free to give me a call to discuss and have a visit to the site to see if it’s for you.
Is there any evidence for the benefits of outdoor and nature therapies?
Loads! In 2024, a government-backed research project (the largest ever in the world), found engagement in nature-based activities improved health and wellbeing as much or more than other therapies such as CBT. A decade-long University of Essex research project found that ‘green exercise’ benefits all health and mental health markers for “all ages, genders, ethnicities, and social classes”. A 2019 study of nearly 20,000 participants found that 2-hours a week in nature significantly benefits health and wellbeing. The body of evidence supporting nature-based interventions is extremely large and ever-increasing.
Who else is on site?
Sessions are run by me (Jon), but there is always someone else on site, and I often draw expertise from the fantastic and knowledgeable farmers at Bennison Farm and a network of local volunteers.
How do you calculate your fees?
It’s very important to me that as many people are able to access the wellbeing benefits of outdoor therapeutic activities as possible. Some of the fee is shared with Bennison Farm and contributes to professional registration fees (RCOT and HCPC), equipment, insurance, and mandatory training (safeguarding, health and safety, first aid, fire safety, etc.). Occupational therapists are required by law to keep records of their interactions and attend regular CPD training; fees are informed by guidance from professional bodies on minimum rates to ensure quality of service and maintenance of professional standards.
Can I listen to your music anywhere?
Yes! I was a professional musician for over a decade, part of a band signed to Virgin Records and as a session musician and songwriter for other artists such as Bastille, Tom Rosenthal, and The Melodic. You can hear some of the songs I played on here.
Do you have social media?
As a nature therapist, I try not to use social media much, but I do have an Instagram here, and my LinkedIn is here. Bennison Farm has an Instagram here.
Occupational therapy is ‘therapy through doing’, as opposed to ‘therapy through talking’. OT also focuses on people’s lived experience of health, so we work collaboratively with people to help them live life more as they’d want to. The title is legally protected by the HCPC so only those with certified training and registration can practice as OTs. There are over 40,000 OTs in the UK, most work in the NHS or social care, but they can be found in a wide variety of settings doing all sorts of roles. OT’s work must include activities proven by evidence to be effective.
Probably, yes! I have successfully worked with clients aged from 4 to 74 with a wide range of life experiences, such as autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, loneliness, isolation, selective mutism, PDA, complex trauma, and enduring mental health diagnoses. I also work with home-school groups and those simply interested in learning more about outdoor activities and enjoying nature. If you’re unsure, please feel free to give me a call to discuss and have a visit to the site to see if it’s for you.
Loads! In 2024, a government-backed research project (the largest ever in the world), found engagement in nature-based activities improved health and wellbeing as much or more than other therapies such as CBT. A decade-long University of Essex research project found that ‘green exercise’ benefits all health and mental health markers for “all ages, genders, ethnicities, and social classes”. A 2019 study of nearly 20,000 participants found that 2-hours a week in nature significantly benefits health and wellbeing. The body of evidence supporting nature-based interventions is extremely large and ever-increasing.
Sessions are run by me (Jon), but there is always someone else on site, and I often draw expertise from the fantastic and knowledgeable farmers at Bennison Farm and a network of local volunteers.
It’s very important to me that as many people are able to access the wellbeing benefits of outdoor therapeutic activities as possible. Some of the fee is shared with Bennison Farm and contributes to professional registration fees (RCOT and HCPC), equipment, insurance, and mandatory training (safeguarding, health and safety, first aid, fire safety, etc.). Occupational therapists are required by law to keep records of their interactions and attend regular CPD training; fees are informed by guidance from professional bodies on minimum rates to ensure quality of service and maintenance of professional standards.
Yes! I was a professional musician for over a decade, part of a band signed to Virgin Records and as a session musician and songwriter for other artists such as Bastille, Tom Rosenthal, and The Melodic. You can hear some of the songs I played on here.
As a nature therapist, I try not to use social media much, but I do have an Instagram here, and my LinkedIn is here. Bennison Farm has an Instagram here.
Important Documents
Please click on any button to access copies of the following documents: