During the last weeks of summer term 2026, we held a series of wellbeing sessions with Y5 and Y6 pupils at a local school. Teachers identified eight children who would benefit the most, either due to struggles from neurodiversity, poor mental health or both. Over six sessions, Francesca encouraged children to connect with nature to help with feelings of overwhelm, stress, anxiety and other conditions that might make being in the classroom harder.

To address the mental health crisis in children and young people, we are trying to reach as many young people as we can with relaxed outdoor wellbeing sessions. These social prescription will provide participants with techniques they can use anytime to help them with their own wellness. Getting outside when you’re feeling overwhelmed is a quick and easy way to feel better. Getting closer to nature such as spending time in a garden, park, and particularly somewhere with trees, is scientifically proven to make us feel better.

Our sessions for Y5 and Y6 aim to prevent children in our community from falling into crisis. The transition from primary into secondary school is an anxious time for both children and their parents/carers and we want to help families learn new positive coping mechanisms harnessing the healing power of nature.

There is increasing evidence around the effectiveness of green prescriptions. The Natural England report “Links between natural environments and mental health” states that nature connectedness is positively associated with positive wellbeing and green spaces are associated with a lower likelihood of using medication for depression. A study in Belgium looking at types of green exposure and mood disorders found exposure to woodland space may be the most beneficial type of natural environment for mental health support.

The woodland close to the school was the ideal place to hold the first five after school sessions, immersing ourselves in its sights, sounds, textures, and smells. From seeking out fractal-patterned treasures, to making a mandala together, the first session was all about using our eyes to discover things that are calming and aesthetically pleasing.

Listening to the sounds of nature on the second week the children learned that just 6 minutes of listening to bird song can reset our nervous system to calm. This also led to discovering a new favourite game – a fusion of Grandmother’s footsteps, What’s the time Mr Wolf and Deers’ ears.

There was huge delight in making miniature worlds on a later session, a fun and mindful activity. The children proudly and confidently presented their miniature worlds, an achievement in itself for those who don’t like to speak up in groups.

One week we were in the midst of the most ridiculous heatwave, which became the perfect opportunity to notice the different temperatures under trees to in direct sunlight. Trees act as a natural air-conditioner through evapotranspiration and shade under trees can be 7-10 degrees Celsius cooler. We also tried walking barefoot walking on different surfaces and discovered grass is by far the coolest surface.

Our final  session at the school we engaged our noses, starting off with blind-smelling various aromas in pots, such as lavender and rosemary, and writing down what we thought they were. If the children couldn’t identify them, instead they wrote down what it reminded them of, such as “Sunday roast” or “bedtime”. We then went round the woodland smelling the variety of soils, leaves, bark and sticks, discovering favourites.

Smelling things we like can be relaxing, can alter our mood and can soothe us. Smell changes the neurons in our brain to calm us when we feel anxious – finding some we like and using them can help to change our mindset. Stop and smell the flowers is more than just a cliché – it’s actually great advice.

Our final session was held away from school on a Saturday at Birtley Woodland where the children were able to attend with an adult of their choice so they could share their experiences with a loved one. It is a beautiful setting with an abundance of nature for everyone to enjoy.

Exploring Birtley woodland, families had the opportunity to listen to the sounds of the stream, play on the swings, hug and climb trees, smell the soil under different trees. And of course, the obligatory roasting of marshmallows around the campfire.

We had some wonderful feedback from parents including this lovely paragraph from a mother, sharing what her daughter got out of attending:

“I really do think these sessions have helped prepare her for the next chapter at her new school, which has a wonderful forest learning space. Nature wasn’t something she was particularly interested in before, but I feel that’s really changed. She came home excited to tell me about everything you’d been doing, and it was so lovely to see that enthusiasm. I think she’s gained confidence in being outdoors and in spending time with others, and she seems much more open to exploring and trying new things.”