Connecting young people with nature: The "Whys and Hows" (in-person event)

Feeling connected to nature is related to a number of benefits, but not everyone has access to nature or values nature. This workshop explores how we can impact others' nature connectedness by building opportunities to connect with nature in everyday environments, like school grounds, community centres, etc.

Join us to explore the power of connecting to nature and provide the young people you work with the tools to feel good, function well and protect the natural world. Learn how lead sessions to improve wellbeing, reduce anxiety and empower young people to take positive action for themselves and the natural world.

There is a growing interest in understanding the wider benefits of spending time outdoors engaging with nature. Social nature prescribing is discussed frequently as a way to support people experiencing mental health difficulties and who are not able to access services, as well as for preventative care. Researchers have found that in the UK around 18% of children 7-16 years old have a probable mental health disorder.

This in-person participatory workshop is designed to provide: 1) knowledge to empower those working with young people to argue for embedding nature into daily activities; 2) training and guidance on supporting young people to connect with nature; 3) hands-on experience with example low cost, low resource nature connectedness activities ; 4) knowledge and training for inclusive practice with nature connectedness; 5) networking and learning from others.

What will this participatory workshop involve?

Join us for a 3-hour participatory workshop hosted at Royal Holloway, University of London.

The in-person participatory workshop (3 hours) is structured into four sections:

1. Introducing nature connectedness and why we should care (30 minutes). Professor Dawn Watling (RHUL) will introduce what the research shows.

2. Understanding our role in training young people to connect with nature (45 minutes). Julie Whelan (Kew, RBG) will share practical experiences and advice plus discuss low resource, pick up and go ideas to facilitate nature connection. She will lead hands-on activities to increase your confidence, demonstrating the positive impacts of nature connectedness on wellbeing, and how connecting to nature leads to an appreciation of its wonder and beauty, thus fostering a desire to value and protect it.

3. Opening ourselves to nature as an inclusive experience (45 minutes). Dr Karis Jade Petty (University of Sussex) will discuss research evidence, lead a discussion on barriers to nature connectedness and extend the hands on activity to put skills into practice.

4. Identifying barriers and a call to action (30 minutes). All attendees.

This workshop was co-designed to bring together individuals who are working with young people and are interested in how we can develop spaces to enhance nature connection as part of a collaboration between Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, as part of a collaboration between Royal Holloway University of London, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, and the University of Sussex, and the University of Sussex.

If you have any questions about this workshop please email: echoo-lab@rhul.ac.uk

Workshop Lead: Prof Dawn Watling (Professor of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London)

Workshop Co-Lead: Julie Whelan (Learning and Development Manager at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Wakehurst) and Dr Karis Jade Petty (Lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Sussex)

This event will be particularly of interest to professionals and volunteers working with young people, including:

• Headteachers, SENCo, Pastoral Leads, Science Leads, School Inclusion/Attendance leads
• Teams within Surrey CC, Borough and District Councils
• Health including Mindworks, Primary and Secondary Care, CFHS
• Social Care, Safeguarding, Early Help and Police
• Charities and Community Groups
• Parks and Heritage staff
• Academics and researchers

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