Throughout July and August, Services for Young People (SfYP) offered young people aged 13 to 17 the unique opportunity to connect with nature during eight free Go Wild at Hudnall summer sessions.
These sessions encouraged young people to explore the woodland and meadows of Hudnall Park and discover new ways to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. Centred around observing and learning about a variety of local wildlife, the SfYP People & Wildlife Officer talked to the young people about ways in which nature can be used to reduce stress. Parents/carers or professionals working with the young person also participated in the activities.
The young people embraced the challenge of safely cooking lunch for the adults over a campfire and taking part in den building challenges, working as a team and developing their life skills.
The summer programme concluded with a ‘back-to-school survival guide’ in preparation for the new academic year. Through nature-based mindfulness tasks, such as species identification and craft activities, young people left equipped with techniques and coping strategies they can use in the future wherever they are.
Go Wild at Hudnall sessions also run during term time. If you know or work with young people who are living with, or at risk of, poor mental health, find out more about how attending could help them here: Go Wild at Hudnall.
Go Wild at Hudnall is delivered by SfYP in partnership with Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.