Young People

“The concept is amazing, the activities are really enriching and really well thought out. The mixture of learning, creating and then sharing was really stimulating to engage my anxious mind.

The programme gave me a structure every weekend, I had something really wholesome and lovely to look forward to every week.”

“What benefited me the most was the practical activity of producing things, that I could then continue to do out of the sessions. Learning new things about nature helped me gain confidence.

The programme has DEFINITELY helped me. Its taught me so much about nature, myself and creative processes.”

“The programme has helped me see more of me and less of my disorder. It brought back my identity, as I remembered I have interests that I thought I lost due to my disorder. It helped me refocus on a task, activity or learning process and had a really positive impact on my wellbeing.

Very helpful. I feel more confident in myself and I'm also painting more these days.”

“I think this is the best activity programme that could be prescribed to young people with mental health issues and I really feel happy with what’s come out of it, and I’ve made a supportive group of friends – I would encourage anyone to do it and if I could, I would love to do it every week.

I think it has helped me because I could meet some people who feel similar to me and I feel like I'm not the only one.”

“It has been amazing to do the sessions as it is really calm and relaxing. Being in nature has allowed time to unwind and socialising with fellow LGBTQ+ people has been lovely!

I felt like I was part of a group and I did activities that genuinely interested me. I managed to socialise more than I thought I could!”

“You are very welcoming and supportive and provide the perfect environment. I’ve also become more interested in nature.

It’s been great meeting new friends and doing new activities which has inspired me to do more crafts at home. I found some oak galls the other day and I’m going to make more ink!”

“I have been honoured to have met you & everyone else involved and to have been part of the programme. I do hope we will meet again for more exciting events in the future!

I have learnt so many ways to connect and benefit from nature. I can't wait to continue expanding my knowledge to inspire myself.”

“When my then care coordinator suggested I join The Wild Mind Project I had no way of knowing what an incredible impact on my life it would have.

I know other queer people now and have been able to do creative projects. I loved doing water marbling, felting and bundle dyeing. This has made me more enthusiastic about trying new artistic things.”

“Thank you SO much - it's been amazing and I've learnt a bunch of new skills. It's really helped my mental health - I've been having a tough time at work and being able to focus on something creative and healthy has been amazing (and I received three new job offers this week so it must be working!). I loved meeting everyone and I had such a great time painting and whittling!”

“It has been nice being in such a calm, structured environment where I have learnt new things about nature and thoroughly enjoyed the company of other LGBTQ+ youth.

I have found the groups invaluable and I am feeling a lot more confident in myself.”

“I experience homophobia and transphobia at work so it’s nice to have a place where I feel safe and accepted. The activities are fun and the meditations really help.

Wild Mind meant and means a lot to me, and I think the same is said of all the other people who attend - it is a wonderful experience and really helped define my life. It makes all the difference. Thank you both so, so much.”

“I was isolated, severely unwell and felt completely hopeless. I was struggling with anxiety and crippling depression. TWMP was a turning point for me. It helped me reconnect with the small pleasures of life. It helped me find a community. I met my most cherished friends at TWMP, people who mean the world to me. I also saw other trans people taking steps towards their own happiness. If I hadn’t seen that I honestly don’t know if I would still be here today.”

“TWMP showed me that there was still beauty in this world despite my despair. It helped give me the confidence to re-emerge into life. The person I am now is almost unrecognisable -not just because of the HRT. I am writing this from a small mountain hut in the Pyrenees, enjoying the beauty of the natural world TWMP helped me to see.”

“I was struggling to find a purpose in life, living with transphobic & homophobic remarks. After years at CAMHS I felt done with life & then I joined The Wild Mind Project. From the first session I felt so safe and warm, something I have never felt before. I found purpose in my life and realised how amazing it feels to be loved & to be able to discuss issues about gender identity and so much more.”