We Go Outside Too: How nature became a lifeline for Marlon Patrice and his community

Marlon Patrice believes in the power of nature, he’s living proof of it. After the tragic loss of his son in early 2020, Marlon turned to the outdoors for healing, perspective, and purpose.

“I could say it kind of saved my life,” he reflects. “It instilled a structure. It’s phenomenal, you know, the clarity it brings, coming away from the city ... it put things into perspective.”

What began as a deeply personal journey soon grew into something much bigger: We Go Outside Too (WGOT), a grassroots group inspiring marginalised communities to connect with nature, themselves, and each other.

From streets to green spaces

Based in Birmingham, WGOT creates safe and inclusive outdoor experiences. For some members, it’s their very first time in a green space beyond their local park. For others, it’s a life-changing shift in perspective.

These safe, inclusive spaces offer more than a walk in the park. They create time to explore, heal, and thrive. “It means so much more than just going outside,” Marlon explains. “It’s giving people a space to feel safe when they can actually go and explore, as well as the health benefits of it all.”

The group’s activities range from local strolls to adventures in national parks. Earlier this year, the community planted 350 trees in the Peak District, an act of renewal and collective care, giving participants a hands-on way to nurture the earth while healing themselves.

The Out-of-the-Box Weekender took members further still, with yoga and foraging sessions designed to build resilience, deepen self-awareness, and encourage a slower, more connected way of living, learning to listen deeply to both their bodies and the landscapes around them.

Finding nature early, and returning to it

That changed when his grandparents moved to a home with a valley behind it. “I used to love going up there, jumping over the streams. Back then it was just for fun… we didn’t realise the medicine in it.”

It wasn’t until adulthood, and particularly in the wake of his loss, that nature became a priority - a place he turns to for clarity, balance, and healing. “As an adult, it definitely taught me that there’s a lot of medicine in nature.”

Why WGOT matters

For many city residents, the idea of hiking, camping, or simply being outdoors isn’t part of their everyday life. Some have never had the opportunity. “A lot of people in the city might not realise what [they’re] actually missing outside,” Marlon says. 

Representation is key. Seeing people from their own community out in nature helps others believe it’s a space for them, too. “In terms of the Black community in the West Midlands, there’s been people engaging. Also seeing how the work’s being highlighted in different realms is motivational to the wider community.”

WGOT’s approach is simple but powerful: start small. “It might be a local park at first. Then search online for groups like ourselves. There are plenty popping up now, so you’re spoiled for choice… once you come out and actually experience it, it will change your life.”

Nature as a teacher

For Marlon, time outdoors doesn’t just improve mood, it changes how people move through life. “It makes you happier, and when you bring that back to the city, it spreads. If someone’s happy, then the other person’s happy, and then it follows on from there. It’s contagious.”

He also sees the outdoors as a metaphor for resilience. “When you’re hiking, it’s very much like life. You’re going up, it’s tiring, you want to give up, you want to turn around, but then you have to keep going. Once you get to the top, you’re satisfied, and then it’s a smooth journey down.”

This is what WGOT is ultimately about: giving people the tools, experiences, and confidence to find their own balance,

 and keep going, even when the climb feels steep.

A ripple effect

Everyone deserves the chance to feel safe, slow down, and reconnect. Whether it starts with a walk through a local park or a weekend immersed in wild places, the benefits ripple far beyond the moment.

Marlon puts it simply: “It gives me something to live for. Every time we do something, it keeps my mind active.”

We Go Outside Too is proof that healing doesn’t always come in big, dramatic moments. Sometimes, it begins by stepping outside, breathing in, and putting one foot in front of the other.