Scotland’s Gardens Scheme (SGS) has been funding the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland (QNIS) since 1931, and we remain hugely honoured to be supported by this fantastic charity. The funding received from SGS goes towards supporting community nurses and midwives in their endeavours to address health inequalities in their communities.

QNIS was delighted to use funds from SGS to enable Venture Scotland to work with two NHS mental health teams, enabling young people to participate in outdoor education activities.

Venture Scotland provides access to nature and wilderness as a way of improving young people’s understanding of their emotions and mental health and helps them find a fresh perspective on life. NHS Esteem in Glasgow and NHS Connect in Dundee both provide intensive support for young people who are recovering from psychosis, which is a debilitating mental health condition. Nurse leads from each service partnered with team leads in Venture Scotland and together they created a set of experiences the young people would otherwise have been unable to access.

Following introductions, name games and kit fitting (all kit supplied by VS) on day one, participants enjoy a day with games and challenges to start building trust and understanding in the group.

The second day of the programme is an outdoor activity day where participants take part in an adventurous activity to build problem solving and communication skills in the group. The Glasgow group went weaselling at Succoth Caves near Arrochar, looking to stepping outside comfort zones and working as a team. The Dundee group went canoeing on a local loch to look at problem solving and communication (including how to deal with a sinking canoe!)

The participants then undertook a three-day bothy residential to Venture Scotland’s Glen Etive bothy involving travel, walking, eating together, playing development games, check-ins, reviews, and spending lots of time outdoors surround by nature and fresh air.

Despite the sinking canoe and one participant almost losing a wellie in the bog, feedback from the young people who participated was hugely positive.

100% of the young people who participated reported that they felt more confident about their future, and they all agreed or strongly agreed that they were more aware of things that affect their mental/emotional health and wellbeing and felt more confident about meeting new people.

‘A great learning experience with really supportive staff.’

‘It was very moving and emotional for me.’

‘Really all round excellent experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.’

We are delighted to share with you some photos from the programme (please see photo gallery below.) Both NHS organisations and Venture Scotland are keen to continue their partnerships and explore how they can continue to support young people with psychosis.

With many thanks to our core charity QNIS for sharing this story. You can find out more about the work of QNIS here