Frankie Cox volunteers for her Duke of Edinburgh Award
Frankie Cox, aged 13, recently completed the volunteering section of her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award with Dose of Nature. Having researched the mental health benefits of natural environments and learnt about the science behind why nature is so beneficial, she developed a 'youth trail' around Kew Gardens (click
here to view).
She considered exercises and activities that she thought would be particularly fun and engaging for teenagers and then lead a group of young people on a mindful walk along her trail, teaching them ways to use all their senses in order to maximise the mental health benefits of being in nature.
Olivia, aged 14, said
"I think I bonded with nature more than I ever have before... I forgot all my worries"
Tean, aged 13, said
"I didn't know nature could be so interesting. It made me feel like a child again, excited by everything"
