Walk and Talk Therapy Wins Hampshire Countryside Health & Wellbeing Award
Winchester Youth Counselling (WYC) is thrilled to announce that our Walk and Talk Therapy has been honoured with the Hampshire Countryside Health & Wellbeing Award at the CPRE Hampshire 2024 Countryside Awards. This recognition highlights the innovative approach we take to support the mental health of young people and their parents/carers in the Winchester District.
A Different Way to Engage
Walk and Talk Therapy moves counselling out of traditional indoor settings and into the natural environment. Held in different locations and in local nature reserves, this approach offers a calming and open space for young people who may find it challenging to engage in a closed counselling room.
Walking side by side, rather than sitting face-to-face, often makes it easier for individuals to express their thoughts and feelings. The soothing effects of nature can also help to reduce stress and anxiety, making these sessions particularly beneficial.
Judges’ Recognition
The award judges commended the project as:
“A wonderfully innovative way to provide mental health support to young people and their carers by taking them away from the normal indoor environment and out into nature.”
This endorsement underscores the positive impact of connecting with the natural world to promote mental health and wellbeing.
Why The Natural World Matters
Working in the natural world helps young people to recognise that they are also nature and are not separate from it. Nature has long been known to play a vital role in improving mental health. Studies have shown that being outdoors can lower stress levels, boost mood, and improve overall mental clarity. By allowing the natural environment to be the co-therapist, WYC provides an accessible and effective alternative to traditional counselling for those who might otherwise struggle to engage.
The work can also enable young people to talk about any concerns that they have around the climate crisis and think about ways they may want to help to protect the natural world.
Gratitude and Commitment
We are deeply grateful to CPRE Hampshire for recognising the value of this initiative. This award not only celebrates the success of Walk and Talk Therapy but also shines a spotlight on the importance of innovative approaches to mental health care.
As always, we remain committed to supporting young people and their families with a variety of services, including one-to-one counselling, wellbeing walk-ins, and nature-based therapies.
If you’d like to learn more about Walk and Talk Therapy or any of our other services, please visit our website or get in touch with our team. Together, we can continue to make a difference.