Young People
Young People
Nature Prescriptions
We offer our Dose of Nature Prescription to young people between the ages of 16 and 25. This is a 6-8 week programme in which the young person meets weekly with a trained Dose of Nature (DoN) Guide in a natural space. The DoN Guide invites the young person to participate in a variety of exercises and creative activities that encourage them to engage all their senses and gain maximum health benefits from their time in nature. We also run a group programme that provides an opportunity for young people to connect with peers experiencing similar struggles, have fun and learn from one another. The groups include psychoeducation about the benefits to our mental health and wellbeing of being in nature, and creative activities that inspire connection with the natural world and which may be used as ongoing tools to manage wellbeing and mental health.
Our Dose of Nature Prescription
for young people is a psychological programme, developed, overseen and supervised by psychologists. It includes an individual psychological assessment and mid and end of programme reviews. The programme is overseen by Dr Georgina Gould, our Clinical Lead for Children and Young People. Georgina has extensive experience of working with young people including many years’ experience within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Who is the programme for?
16 - 25-year-olds across the London Borough of Richmond who:
- feel low, depressed or anxious
- feel stuck in negative patterns of behaviour and want to make significant changes to their life
- have suffered trauma in their life
- exhibit symptoms associated with a variety of mental health difficulties including eating disorders, OCD and ADHD and self-harm
- are isolated, spend a lot of time at home and would benefit from connecting with the outside world
The benefits of a Dose of Nature Prescription
- Fun, interesting, positive, and forward looking practices
- Nature is a free, accessible resource that will always be there
- Builds resilience, confidence and self-esteem
- Time away from screens, restoring attention and focus
How do I obtain a Dose of Nature Prescription?
It’s very easy to get a Dose of Nature prescription. You can be referred by your GP or any other health professional. We are currently operating in the borough of Richmond. Ask your GP for a referral, and if they haven't heard of Dose of Nature, get in contact with us - info@doseofnature.org.uk
- and we'll contact the surgery.
For further information about our programme for young people, please contact Dr Georgina Gould on georgina@doseofnature.org.uk
or 07762 985846.
Workshops
Our workshops combine classroom-based learning about the mental health benefits of spending more time in nature, with practical outdoor nature-based activities, allowing young people to experience these benefits first-hand.
We examine the latest scientific evidence explaining why nature is so beneficial for mental health and wellbeing, and discuss some of the worrying consequences of our modern lives, increasingly disconnected from the natural world in which we evolved.
Through a variety of fun activities and sensory exercises, we demonstrate how to maximise nature’s benefits, and using cognitive, physiological and psychological tests, we show how even a short time in nature can increase concentration, lower stress, and improve mood.
We aim to make our workshops entertaining and enjoyable, as well as informative and interesting, and hope everyone leaves feeling relaxed and happy, and inspired to make greater connections with the natural world in order to improve their health and wellbeing.
Talks
We can come to your nursery, school, college or youth club, and give a fun and interactive talk on the health benefits of spending time outside in nature. Our talks are all individually adapted to the particular needs of the group and can last between 1-3 hours.
Youth Ambassadors
Frankie Cox
I am a student at Waldegrave School in Twickenham and I have started my Duke of Edinburgh Award. I have always enjoyed outdoor activities like camping and walking so I was very excited to have the opportunity to promote health benefits for young people. Since starting I have felt even better about spending time outside in nature and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
