MPs hear of benefits of outdoor learning

A LJMU psychologist is urging government to promote outdoor education as a salve to the UK’s crisis in youth mental health.

Dr Kaye Richards, who is Chair of the Association for Outdoor Therapy (UK), was among a select group of experts to address the inaugural All-Party Parliament Group on the topic, chaired by Tim Farron MP.

She offered the overview of the value of diverse outdoor learning and outdoor therapy practices being integrated into child and adolescent mental health services.

Greater confidence and higher self-esteem, better social skills and communication

Dr Kaye Richards, LJMU School of Psychology

In conclusion, Dr Richards made a strong case for children and young people to have the right to high quality outdoor learning provision as part of entitlement for positive mental health and wellbeing as a child and future life as a healthy adult.

She also proposed supporting new provision of ‘green prescribing practices’ for children and young people.

Dr Richards said: “We have plenty of evidence built up over many years of research to support the undoubted benefits of outdoor education, among which we can list greater confidence and higher self-esteem, better social skills and communication, new motivation and physical skills and outdoor activities can also raise the ability to work cooperatively and create a positive attitude to learning.”

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Outdoor Learning aims to work with professionals to develop evidenced based practice and improve the value of delivery.

- In 2022 Dr Richards co-authored a seminal study on the links between being outdoors and happiness, called The Outjoyment Report.