WELLBEING SUPPORT FOR young people with Learning Disabilities or AUTISM
Nature is one of the best ways to nurture young people with Learning Disabilities or Autism
Spending time in nature can benefit both mental and physical wellbeing.
Being in nature reduces anger, fear and stress. It not only makes young people feel better emotionally, but it also contributes to their physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
One of the most amazing things nature brings, however, is its impact on mental wellbeing. When a young person is experiencing anxiety, nature can be a powerful antidote, improving overall mood.
The potential for nature to foster independence is particularly beneficial for young people with learning disabilities. Giving young people that feeling of space, and the sensory stimulation that comes with being outdoors, is absolutely vital. Outdoor activity requires them to adapt to unpredictable weather and the changing seasons, and this can be another positive challenge.
Young people with autism who regularly engage in outdoor activities, experience improvements in seven key areas: social interaction; communication; behaviour; emotion; cognition; sensory issues; and physical activity. The benefits most frequently encountered are improvements to a young person’s emotional state and an increases in their cognitive ability.
We would like to thank Enjoolata for funding this programme and One Garden for their support.
Who our programmes are for
These programmes are suitable for young people aged 16-25, who either have mild to moderate learning difficulties or have been diagnosed with ASD Level 1 or 2. We are very sorry but we cannot accommodate young people with a severe or profound learning disability or ASD Level 3.
FREE programmes
Programmes typically run for 3 to 5 weeks and each session is for 2 hours plus.
In each session, activities might include a nature walk, conservation work or gardening. This is usually combined with a creative activity such as dyeing cloth with foraged plant dyes, making ink from oak wasp galls, painting, mosaicing, lino-cutting, modelling with air dry clay and cooking on an open fire.
“It’s helped me feel more happy and more confident in myself”
“It has helped me to relax and make friends. It was very helpful, thank you so much“
“I am very grateful to this project for doing amazing work”
… quotes from young people who have attended our programmes.
BRIGHTON
PRICE: This programme is free of charge
DATE: Sunday 12th February to Sunday 26th February 2023
TIME: 1.45pm to 3.45pm
LOCATION: ‘The Plot’, Stanmer Organics, Stanmer Park, Brighton, BN1 9PZ (78 bus). Sorry but this location is not suitable for WHEELCHAIR ACCESS.
If the weather is poor, we will move to an indoor space at the near by One Garden.
BOOKINGS:
Please complete our Online Booking Form to book a place.
Professionals – please complete our online Referral Form for enquires.
If you would like any further information then please do call us on 01273 230102 or email hello@thewildmindproject.org
A community that excludes even one member is not community at all.
Seventy.org