Written by Katy Duncan, Youth Participation and Engagement Worker, Innovation Challenge Project
Just before the 2025 Christmas break, we gathered for a truly memorable and uplifting continued professional development (CPD) day – one that reminded me of the power of connection: with each other, with nature, and with ourselves. The themes of the day were Green Spaces, Nature Connection and Addressing Inequalities.
The day began at New Craigs Hospital, before we made our way up into Craig Dunain Community Woods. A small group of us – myself, members of the Nature4Health team, and some brilliant Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) volunteers – headed up early in the morning with head torches to prepare the space and get a fire going. By the time the rest of the group arrived, the woods were glowing with warmth and welcome, setting a beautiful tone for the day.
Learning Through Nature
Our first session was led by Dan Jenkins (Public Health / Think Health Think Nature), who guided us through the many benefits of nature connection for young people accessing CAMHS. Through thoughtful discussion and interactive activities, we explored how nature-based approaches can enhance emotional wellbeing and engagement.
Later, Dan facilitated a powerful experiential activity on health inequalities, where participants stepped into different roles and physically moved forwards or backwards in response to questions about access to healthcare. Seeing this play out in real time was incredibly impactful and sparked rich conversation about the barriers many people face.
Reflection, Movement & Creativity
After warming up with hot juice around the fire, we split into two teams and rotated through three woodland sessions…
Stephen (Nature4Health) led a beautiful reflective session inspired by the winter solstice – a time traditionally associated with rest, release, and renewal. Everyone was invited to write down something they were ready to let go of as the year closed, placing these reflections into a handmade yule log that would later be burned, as well as something they hoped to carry into the light of the new year.
Russell (Nature4Health) then guided us through a session of mindful movement, helping everyone reconnect with their bodies and breath as sunlight streamed through the trees – a powerful reminder of the role movement can play in emotional regulation and overall wellbeing.
The final session was one I had the privilege of leading. Around the warmth of the fire, we explored the idea of gifting (a very relevant topic for the lead up to Christmas!). I invited everyone to make a small mince pie in the embers – as an offering given with care, and attention to another team member, or to themselves – discussing that possibly the true value of a gift lies in the connection and belonging it creates, and in honouring the relationships that sustain us. The results were delicious, as were the toasted marshmallows that followed!
A Closing Moment of Gratitude
We closed the day with a moment of quiet as the yule log was burned, followed by a gratitude circle. The reflections shared – appreciation for one another, for the community within CAMHS, and for the importance of making time in our busy lives to connect with each other and the natural world – were deeply moving. Those words still stay with me.
About the project
The Innovation Challenge project, “Enabling Connections through Green and Creative Spaces”, has been developed through funding awarded to NHS Highland CAMHS to deliver community-based interventions alongside essential, third-sector partners, working in the Inverness and Lochaber localities. The aim is to support young people’s mental health while addressing the growing health and healthcare inequalities that shape both their present and future wellbeing.
For more information contact Katy Duncan- katy.duncan@nhs.scot
