Harnessing the power of the outdoors to boost mental health
The power of the natural world to support wellbeing is a core belief for the team at Bee Free on the Farm. The organisation is determined to ensure that their activities and initiatives are available to help young people in our county. In recognition of their work they have now been nominated for a Kent Mental Wellbeing Award. Francesca Day found out more.
Willowbank Generation which supports Bee Free on the Farm was founded by Patrick Kelleher and Elizabeth Shilling. Patrick leveraged his extensive experience in the specialist education sector to set up Willowbank Education to offer fishing and forest school programs. When Elizabeth joined him bringing with her her expertise in outdoor, specialist and mainstream education they were able to expand their services and together they created Willowbank Generation.
Bee Free on the Farm Ltd. is one of three sites that operate under the Willowbank Generation model. It is owned and led by Daniel Shilling and Bee Gifford.
Building on the success of Willowbank Generation and with their support Daniel and Bee have established their own Forest School provision which has an emphasis on farming. Their goal was to enhance the offerings already available and expand capacity so that more young people can benefit from their activities. “This initiative has ignited a strong collaboration with Willowbank Generation”.
All of the activities that they offer can be adapted and tailored to meet the needs of participants and enable them to feel seen, heard and supported. “Their tireless efforts have created a safe haven where young individuals can find solace and strength in the embrace of nature”. Their nature-based therapy programs deliver mental health support and resources to young people that are struggling with mental health challenges via the medium of outdoor education.
Bee Free on the Farm offers an impressive range of activities as part of their nature-based therapy programs which include:
- Walk and talk therapy
- Cooking by fire
- Animal therapy
- Fishing therapy
- Nature-based art such as flower bashing
- Creative, sensory and play stations
All of Bee Free on the Farm’s activities are intended to provide a nurturing and therapeutic experience to participants e.g. archery where the focus is on mindfulness as well as teaching the correct technique.
The nomination of Bee Free on the Farm highlighted that one of the challenges that the team has encountered in the last year is the growing demand for their programs as young people contend with a range of challenges related to their mental health, the impact of the cost of living crisis and environmental issues.
With so many young people in need of help to manage their mental health I can see why programs like those offered at Bee Free on the Farm are so valuable to the local community here in Kent.
The Kent Mental Wellbeing awards is an annual event designed to showcase the people, organisations and initiatives that help us cope with life. The event’s three themes are: kindness and compassion; wellbeing; mental health.
Whether it is in school, business, community or family, so many of us have been lucky to have people and organisations with ideas, tips and tactics to help us cope. It is time to celebrate those mental health and well-being champions in our community and share this best practice.
The awards will be staged in October by the mental health charity Mind in Bexley and East Kent in collaboration with a range of wellbeing and mental health organisations.
Nominations can be linked to a simple act of kindness that lifted the spirits, a business that has improved staff wellbeing, through to a targeted initiative delivered by a charity or statutory organisation to support a mental health issue.
The event is sponsored by Kent County Council, Kent Community Foundation, ADM Computing, GrainLNG – National Grid, Medway Council, Optyma Security, Wave Community Bank, Cactus Graphics and CommunityAid.
Submit nominations at www.kentmentalwellbeingawards.org.uk For awards news follow @KentMWAwards on Facebook and X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
