A Whitton-based not-for-profit has been awarded over £2,000 to help run nature-based creative activities for children and young people through Richmond council's Local Area Fund.

The Wild Mind Project aims to help improve mental health for people aged 13-25 and their parents or carers through combining nature and art therapy.

It has used the funding to create and run workshops for parent/carers and their children. The workshops include educational walks in nature, painting, and other creative activities like linocutting.

CEO & Founder Berny Simcox told Nub News: "Coronavirus has changed life for us all. Many mental health professionals and public health experts have warned of the long-term impact of the virus on people's mental health.

"Anxiety and the disruption to daily life will be even more difficult to deal with for those who already struggle with mental health. In turn, the pressure on parent/carers, who are dealing with their own disruptions and worries, have increased concerns for those that they care for.

"Parents and Carers play a crucial role in supporting young people with mental ill-health. However, research shows that 84% feel stressed and 55% have reported that they suffer from depression as a result of caring for a child with mental ill-health.

"By supporting parent/carers wellbeing and improving empathy and communication within families, we can in turn help young people recover.

"Funding from Local Area Fund has enabled us to run workshops for parent/carers and their children to do just that.

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"A typical workshop includes a walk in nature, maybe learning how to identify trees, followed by a creative session which may include, painting, linocutting or weaving, while we talk over a cup of bramble tea, the leaves collected on our walk."

Find out more about The Wild Mind Project here.

The Local Area Fund is intended to support local initiatives, helping launch new ideas and developing projects to make a positive difference to Richmond Upon Thames.

Applications for the Local Area Fund are now open and you can apply here.