Free Outdoor Wellbeing Workshops for Cornwall School Children This Summer

Outdoor sessions returning to Tehidy, Penrose, Golitha Falls and more this summer

More outdoor wellbeing workshops are being offered to school-aged children across Cornwall this summer, with free sessions led by Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Mental Health Support Team.

The Wild Wellbeing programme is designed to help prevent mental health challenges by giving children practical tools to support their wellbeing. Since launching in January 2024, nearly 500 families have taken part across 18 sites including Goss Moor and Golitha Falls near Liskeard.

This summer, the Trust is expanding the programme to even more locations, teaming up with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the National Trust to host sessions in some of Cornwall’s most scenic natural spots.

What’s It All About?

The Wild Wellbeing workshops focus on the 5 steps to mental wellbeing:
• Connecting with others
• Being physically active
• Learning new skills
• Giving to others
• Paying attention to the present moment

They’re hands-on, nature-based sessions, where children can explore the outdoors, learn new things and take part in mindful activities.

“The evidence base is really growing in how being outdoors in nature can help support young people’s mental health and wellbeing,” said Suzanne Cachia, Education Mental Health Practitioner Supervisor. “These free events where children can come and experience different activities and learn different skills, they can take those away afterwards and continue to implement them into their own practice.”

Free and Open to Families

The 2-hour sessions are open to all local families with children from reception to Year 7, and siblings are also welcome to attend.

Suzanne added that the summer holidays can be a difficult time for parents looking to keep children entertained:
“Parents and carers have explained that in the summer holidays, they can feel quite socially isolated. Having a space where they can come and connect with their children, other parents, and caregivers has been really valuable to them.”

One parent who attended a session at Golitha Falls shared:
“The session was really engaging and varied. Toby really enjoyed it. He is really happy after doing all the different bits and going on the nature walk, as well as making a mandala with the natural items he found.”

Workshop Dates and Locations

Workshops are being held at the following sites this summer:

• Heamoor Primary School, Penzance – 29th July

• Penrose (near Helston) – 30th July, 5th and 7th August

• Golitha Falls (near Liskeard) – 5th and 26th August

• Hayle Family Hub – 6th August

• Dipping Pond (moorland near Newquay) – 12th and 28th August

• Tehidy Country Park (near Camborne) – 14th and 20th August

Beth Lloyd-Davies from Natural England said,
“We are really looking forward to working with the Mental Health Support Team again, and welcoming children to connect with nature on our sites. It is always such a fun and fulfilling day.”

Amy Gosney from Cornwall Wildlife Trust added,
“Getting out into nature is brilliant for our wellbeing. We are really pleased to be able to help connect more young people with their families to the fantastic natural world around us!”

How to Book

Information posters have been shared with schools across Cornwall. Parents are encouraged to check their child’s school communication channels. Bookings must be made via the Mental Health Support Team’s form, with the deadline set for Wednesday 23rd July.

More sessions are already being planned for later in the year, including during the October half term.