An opportunity to Thrive with The Green Team
The Green Team’s award-winning Thrive programme is for 14-18 year olds and aims to support mental health through building a safe space, community, connection to nature, and achievement in activities.
‘I never thought I’d be able to do it, but I did it anyway.’
Thrive is one of The Green Team’s most established and impactful programmes, successfully supporting some of Edinburgh’s hard to reach young people. It is a specialist therapeutic programme for young people wanting to improve their mental health and can have a positive lifelong impact.
Many who join the programme are socially isolated and struggle in social settings. Often, Thrive participants are not in school, training or further education, and have mild to moderate mental health issues, either diagnosed or undiagnosed. For example, we have worked with young people with a range of conditions including ADHD, PTSD, OCD, selective mutism, anxiety, low mood or suicidal ideation. We also work with young people facing prejudice such as racism and transphobia.
Time to thrive
The Thrive programme works with people for up to a year and offers an invaluable opportunity for a small group of young people to form friendships and work together as a team. The small group size and long-term work allow the participants to feel safe to be themselves, make friends, and talk with other young people or adults. High adult ratios allow us to deliver the activities safely, as we support and celebrate each individual.
Working long term allows the participants to become familiar with being outside. Nature and being outside has become a special resource that these young people can access for support with their mental health for the rest of their lives.
Supported by nature
On the Thrive programme, our focus is on activities to help build community and a safe space, connecting to nature, self and others. There is also time spent doing practical conservation work, learning new skills and achieving a variety of awards.
This active time is balanced with opportunities for self-reflection and time just being together around the fire.
Our tailored approach
Throughout, the approach we take is tailored in consultation with the young people taking part. We also ensure regular liaison with parents, carers and support workers.
In recent years, The Green Team have accepted referrals from and continued to work with partners including High Schools, CAMHS, Social Work Departments, Youth Agencies, parents and carers to support participants.
Programmes are led by the Thrive Project Co-ordinator, Kate Hedges, and are supported by adult volunteers who together support young people to develop healthy personal relationships built on trust.
More about Thrive
Thrive programmes take place mid-week and are delivered in the following ways:
- Our Multi-Agency programme involves up to 6 young people who meet once a week during term time. This programme is ongoing with renewed booking each term.
- 6-8 week programme with young people from a single agency (one school or youth group for example) as an initial support.
Thrive receives referrals from mental health agencies such as CAMHS, social workers and school staff. It is also possible for a young person to self-refer.
Are you a young person who feels you would benefit from Thrive?
Working with a young person who you feel would benefit from Thrive?
THRIVE is a Nature of Scotland Health & Wellbeing Award Winner 2022
Thriving… a year later
This year, six young people have worked so hard and achieved so much. Nature and being outside has become a special resource that these young people can access for support with their mental health for the rest of their lives.