We awarded Together We Grow £7,800 to set-up a new outdoor counselling service at a two-acre community garden inside Colchester’s Highwoods Country Park, which enables young children to experience therapeutic support in a natural setting.

Each child receives this service for at least six weeks, which also encourages them to be active and take a break from screens.

Dale Connelly, who runs the project, and is a BACP Registered Psychotherapist, said the project also targets children between 4-11 who are on long waiting lists for critical mental health support.

The children are referred to the project from a number of local schools, primary care services, parents and carers. Many have Special Educational Needs and disabilities, plus some suffer from issues caused by health inequalities in the region. Dale said these children have benefitted from having the freedom to be themselves and relax in nature.

“Our service has become known as a new go-to intervention, which offers a judgement-free, confidential, open space for the children to express their feelings and work through their serious concerns. It also helps them to build stronger bonds with their family.

“We’re excited to offer children in Colchester this alternative option to improve their mental health and well-being. We have also become a strong option for GPs and teachers to refer children for outdoor therapy.”

Additionally, the project has now received funding from National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards for All programme to expand the project even further.  He added: “This is critical so that we can support even more children in the future.” 

Testimonial from a parent – Anon – “Being outside and exploring made my daughter a lot more comfortable and helped her open up more than ever before!”