Welcome to Mental Health Awareness Week, a time dedicated to shining a spotlight on and raising awareness about the significance of mental wellbeing. This year’s theme is anxiety, and we’ll be sharing some stories and experiences from young people in Islington who are benefitting from transformative local programmes. Here, we caught up with Joseph,* who took part in The Stuart Low Trust (SLT) Nature programme and Art workshops.
“Attending the nature visits has helped a lot with my loneliness and anxiety. I’ve become more confident and find social situations easier to cope with.” ~ Joseph, Stuart Low Trust, Nature programme participant
Joseph describes his experience of attending The Stuart Low Trust Nature programme:
“I started attending the Nature outings and have been going on different visits once or twice a month. I wanted to meet new people and be involved in some activities. I wanted to keep busy and do something different. I enjoy interacting with people the most.
Attending the nature visits has helped a lot with my loneliness and anxiety. I’ve become more confident and find social situations easier to cope with. I have met lots of new people and have become more independent too. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming, and I feel a sense of belonging to a community. I like connecting and interacting with others, having cups of tea and chatting at the end of the visits. I like seeing the staff and volunteers too as they are very friendly.
Sometimes I find it hard to go because I am feeling low, but I always feel better for going along. I feel safe at the activities and feel better for connecting with others.”
