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London Wildlife Trust and East London NHS Foundation Trust collaborate on nature-inspired wellbeing programme for young people

An inspiring collaboration, delivering new workshops at Walthamstow Wetlands.

Nature in Mind is an innovative two-year pilot programme providing nature-based wellbeing workshops for young people referred to the Newham Multi-Agency Collective. This is a new partnership project between London Wildlife Trust and East London NHS Foundation Trust, facilitated through Newham Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Workshops are delivered at the Trust’s Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve. They provide a safe, inclusive, and friendly space for young people to nurture their mental health through a variety of outdoor activities.  These include wildlife identification, sensory activities, wellbeing walks, practical conservation, creative arts, bushcraft, and hands-on exploration of different habitats.

The initiative aims to showcase the recognised positive impact of being in nature on mental health: Such as reducing anxiety and stress, improving mood, aiding sensory and emotional regulation, enhancing concentration, and inspiring creativity.

Group of young people walking in Walthamstow Wetlands towards the Engine House, with one of the Nature in Mind leaders.

© Ollie Watson

Nature in Mind works to address the critical need to support young people on mental health service waiting lists. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a 30% increase in referrals and complexity for Newham CAMHS, resulting in extended waiting times. The project focuses on assisting those on low-risk 'green pathways'. This includes young people experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, depression, difficulties socialising and those seeking diagnosis or treatment for Autistic Spectrum Conditions or ADHD. It also includes young people who find it difficult to attend school for emotional reasons or those who are struggling with their memories of traumatic or difficult experiences.

Newham CAMHS serves a London Borough facing multiple deprivations, including limited green space and is the second lowest for tree cover in London. It has a highly diverse population, with ethnicity and stigma adding barriers to accessing green space alongside mental health support. By facilitating nature-space workshops, this programme aims to help young people to ‘Wait Well’ and leverage the therapeutic link between nature connectedness and improved mental health. When the CAMHS team discuss a new referral, this option could be one of the options offered to the young person while they wait for an appointment or if they do not meet the threshold for a CAMHS intervention.

Set of polaroid photos lying on top of a clipboard. Polaroid images show snaps that have been taken of young people during a Nature in Mind session at Walthamstow Wetlands.

© Ollie Watson

Beyond the immediate support, this project has the potential to shape the future provision of sustainable services by highlighting the role of nature in mental health. This aligns with the Greener NHS initiative, promoting mental wellbeing, encouraging staff retention, and contributing to the fight against climate change. The collaboration between the Trust and Newham CAMHS not only seeks to provide vital mental health support but also serves as a model for integrating nature into healthcare practices.

London Wildlife Trust is proud to be working in partnership with the East London NHS Trust to deliver our new social-prescribing initiative. The programme aims to introduce children and young people to the wellbeing benefits of accessing nature and greenspaces in our city. We know that nature has a positive effect on mental health; we hope to inspire children and young people to restore their connection with nature and help them to create a long-standing interest in our natural world.
Leah McNally, Director of Learning, Youth & Communities
London Wildlife Trust
Young person pond dipping with a Nature in Mind leader, leaning over a small pond at Walthamstow Wetlands and looking at creatures in a white plastic trough.

© Chantelle Lindsay

Nature can and should be a core companion in treating mental health difficulties, but it is often overlooked to the detriment of us all and our planet. This project is such an exciting partnership, offering healing and connectedness to children and young people who desperately need it. I hope there will be many more projects just like this in the near future!
Dr Alexia Haysom, Higher Trainee in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
East London NHS Foundation Trust
The workshops are a really welcome space for young people to explore their interests and learn new things. It provides a relaxed setting for them to talk to others to support their wellbeing.
Fiona Stockley, General Manager
Newham CAMHS Team
Group of young people sat in a circle on the ground, working on a drawing project for a Nature in Mind session at Walthamstow Wetlands.

© Chantelle Lindsay

Note

Nature in Mind is a partnership project between London Wildlife Trust and East London NHS Foundation Trust, facilitated through Newham CAMHS. When the CAMHS team discuss a new referral, the Nature in Mind pathway could be one of the options offered to the young person while they wait for an appointment or if they do not meet the threshold for a CAMHS intervention.

References

A Natural Health Service, report by The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts

Downloads

Nature in Mind Press Release, March 2024

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