Outdoor youth work scheme 'improves young people's wellbeing'
Joe Lepper
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Young people’s mental health improves when they spend time outdoors, according to evaluation of a green social action scheme involving thousands of young people across England.
Wellbeing and an appreciation of nature scores improved among young people taking part in the Green Influencers Scheme, which sees ‘green mentor’ youth workers recruited to help young people aged between 10 and 14 to take part in social action projects.
Among children taking part, more than three quarters said their involvement has made them more likely to want to take part in further green projects outdoors.
“I was really happy to be part of something that would shape the landscape and inspire others to take action,” said 14-year-old Muhammed, one of the young people involved.
“I’ve learned lots of new skills and started to appreciate the intricacies of an ecosystem and to protect spaces. I have grown with this project.”
The scheme is run by education charity The Ernest Cook Trust and has so far involved 2,900 young people supported by 33 green mentors. The charity aims to involve 5,000 young people through the scheme, which costs £3m and is part-funded by the #iwill Fund.
“The impact the Green Influencers Scheme is having on the young people involved is fantastic,” said the trust’s chief executive Victoria Edwards.
“It has also had a ripple effect, with green influencers making individual changes to their behaviour, and many going on to join other outdoor initiatives, like cycling clubs and local conservation groups.
“They are learning so much through the scheme, like teamwork, improved communication, and feeling more confident.”
Meanwhile, London Youth is running an outdoor adventure project for young, disadvantaged people in the capital. The initiative aims to provide 1,000 young people with a place in a two-night residential outdoor centre and has been funded by the Jack Petchey Foundation.
So far113 young people have taken up places through the scheme, which has been created to tackle post-Covid pandemic mental health problems among young people.
“Getting outside is so beneficial for young people’s mental health and wellbeing, particularly following the challenges of the past two years,” said Jack Petchey Foundation chief executive Gemma Juma.
