Wellbeing in the Woods is an Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Managed Innovation Network (MIN) initiative project to support the wellbeing and Health Related Quality of Life of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), through spending time outdoors as part of a Forest School programme.

The MIN consists of a multidisciplinary team of professionals led by Into the Wild Wood (a Forest School Association Recognised Provider of Forest School) with support from the Centre for ADHD and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across the Lifespan (CANDAL), the UoN’s Schools of Psychology, Medicine, and Education, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

The MIN will oversee the delivery of the project and evaluate the impact of the Forest School programme on the wellbeing and quality of life – physical, psychological, mental, and social – of the participating children.

Background

The number of mental health disorders in young people has escalated in recent years, rising from 1 in 9 in 2017 to 1 in 6 in 2020 (NHS digital). It is known that children with SEND are at an increased risk of poor mental health and wellbeing. Children with conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum conditions and intellectual disability, can find it harder to learn, develop and thrive in traditional classroom settings. These children may benefit from learning outside of the classroom, using the Forest School model. 

It is known that spending time in nature can have a positive effect on mental health, and we believe that providing more opportunities for young people to have meaningful time in nature. Forest School is a growing movement across the UK and it is designed to support the holistic development of young people. We believe that it is an excellent model to support the wellbeing and quality of life of young people with SEND.

What will the project involve?

• A small group, maximum of 8 children, aged 7-11 years participated in a 24-week programme of Forest School.
• The project worked with 4 cohorts of children over a 3-year period, starting in the autumn term 2021, and ran until the end of Spring term 2024.
• 2-hour weekly sessions took place on private woodland, owned by the company Weleda, situated in Shipley, between Ilkeston and Heanor, DE75 7JH.

MIN Team

• Lauren Kinnersley – Level 3 Forest School Leader, Recognised provider with the Forest School Association, Into the Wild Wood.
• Dr Maddie Groom – Associate Professor of Applied Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, children and young people, CANDAL (Centre for ADHD and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across the Lifespan), Institute of Mental Health
• Dr Bahar Tuncgenc – Research Fellow, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham
• Joe Kilgarriff – Clinical Nurse Specialist & Nurse Prescriber, Neuro developmental stream – CAMHS, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Caitlin McKenzie – Research Support Officer, Institute for Mental Health
• Dr Anne Emerson – Associate Professor Special and Inclusive Education, University of Nottingham
• Darren Wright – IMH Administration Manager, Institute of Mental Health