Prince Harry visits youth project at Brockholes

Prince Harry has visited a project at Brockholes which encourages young people to improve their wellbeing by getting involved with nature.

HRH went into the Viking Wood at Brockholes and met staff and participants of the Myplace project, a National Lottery funded project is a partnership between the Trust and Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, which is pioneering nature as a holistic therapy.

He witnessed dead-hedging, bushcraft and mindfulness as well as cooking bread and marshmallows over an open fire.

Anne Selby, Wildlife Trust chief executive officer, said: “This visit has put the spotlight on our innovative project with the NHS, Prince Harry is clearly passionate about the subject of mental health and was so natural with the young people.

"He showed real compassion to the participants who have struggled with mental health issues.

Harry noticed one of the attendees looked overwhelmed, he circled back to reassure her and listened for a moment.

“He is on a real mission for mental health issues to be de-stigimatised, the biggest prize is for this sort of approach to be normalised and part of the system nationally.

That’s the challenge. It was really great that senior delegates from the project’s funders, Our Bright Future, Big Lottery Fund and The Government Panel which distributes European Funding, were there.

It was really good for them to see the practical side of Myplace.”

Mike Winstanley, LWT health and skills project manager, added: “Some of the young people have been speaking to HRH today about their own journey, describing how Myplace has helped them to recover from their own mental health conditions.

I know it meant a lot to the young people to meet the Prince, they were excited to show off the project and the activities they are involved in.”