A wholesome initiative is changing lives for young people in Sheffield by using nature to “improve activity, employability skills, well-being and social connection.”
Grow, a nature based charity on Manor Lane, Sheffield, is running a ‘Grow and Connect’ programme for 16-24 year olds next month, offering a unique form of mental health support.
Dave Cooke, the Programme and Impact Manager for Grow, said: “We offer a supportive environment outdoors, where friendships can be made, confidence can be built and more options can open up.”
The programme is based on a farm and consists of group workshops, one to one sessions, and learning horticultural and teamwork skills. It runs for 5 weeks and allows participants to engage with the outdoors whilst also gaining work experience.
Starting in 2018, Dave believes that the program fills a gap for young people in Sheffield who are struggling to get jobs:
“The barriers for young people aren’t necessarily hard-scale employment. The barriers are mental health and a general sense of confidence and optimism, which the job centre obviously can’t respond to.”
Dave says through their programme, they are able to offer the “long-term holistic support that is needed” to help young people into work.
Grow have had 75% of people that engage in their programmes end up in employment or training and also a 15% increase in well being and social connection after working with them.
Dave believes the programme is important as it utilises “green prescribing” instead of just talking therapies. Waitlists for talking therapies in Sheffield are getting increasingly longer, and grow believes they can offer effective alternatives.
He said: “It gives a focus, something to wake up for, a sense of mastery, something to do and that can lead to meaningful careers in horticulture.”
“Young people’s lives can be transformed into meaningful activity, being more connected and being able to earn money to open up different options and choices in their life.”
The upcoming programme “Grow and Connect” begins on the 4th of November in Manor and Castle and is particularly encouraging any young women and people living in the S2 area.
If you have a young person in mind who would benefit from Connect & Grow you can make your referrals here:
