Tag: Health and wellbeing
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Healthy Young Minds
Healthy Young Minds (HYM) is an early intervention programme co-produced with high school students living in remote and rural parts of Highland. The programme aims to promote mental well-being, increase resilience and reduce anxiety through engagement with nature and local greenspaces. HYM is a collaboration between researchers at the University of South Wales, the University…
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Arts in Nature: How partnership, creativity and nature can break down barriers
Charlotte Mackenzie of Arts in Nature shares how working with like‑minded organisations, getting creative and connecting with nature can break down barriers and bring people together. Drawing on experiences from her work with community projects, she explores how nature‑based creativity can boost confidence, create a connection and make nature feel welcoming for everyone. How partnerships…
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Growing Together: Inclusive Gardening at Inverness Botanic Gardens
Overview Inverness Botanic Gardens is home to the GROW Project, a long‑running and much‑loved gardening initiative supporting adults with learning disabilities. In March 2026, the Gardens hosted a community event in the GROW garden that brought together people with learning disabilities, people living with dementia, carers, garden staff, and researchers. The event explored how gardening…
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Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff Winter Workshop- supporting staff connection with nature
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…
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Getting outside and exercising saved my life
Anyway, getting outside and exercising saved my life. It changed who I am and I wish I had been more open minded about it’s powers ten years ago but that is all part of this journey I think.
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Connecting to nature
Green Health Link Worker Louise, from the Cairngorms National Park Authority explores what nature connection means to her, whilst Gavin shares an easy nature connection activity that can be done anywhere. I love the walk to drop off my son at nursery in the morning – the movement and fresh air sets me up for…
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Think Nature Health Walks – Green Health Week
Written by Isabel McLeish, Health Walk Coordinator As the Coordinator for the Think Nature Health Walks, I support a network of walking and buggy groups throughout rural Highland. Our walks help you to connect with nature, meet likeminded people, and to enjoy being more active outdoors. Walking in your local green space is a great…
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Creating a mini meadow!
I can’t explain how excited I was to see that the yellow rattle seeds I scattered in a small area of my garden last year were growing! ….
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Green Health Case Study: Darach Social Croft
Sarah and Hugh moved to Darach croft on the Ardnamurchan peninsula in West Lochaber in 2017. They already had 15 years’ experience of providing support to individuals with mental, emotional and behavioural issues; learning disabilities, autism and neurodiversity; experience of care; drug and alcohol problems and histories of offending behaviour. Sarah also had previous experience…
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‘Social crofting’ and ‘Green health’
A guest post for Green Health Week 2022 by Hugh Asher from Darach Social Croft Modern life can have a significant impact on our mental and physical wellbeing, and the last few years having been particularly difficult for many people. What has also become much clearer during this time is that Green Health activities, especially…