Framing Our Futures: Young People Premiere Their Nature-Inspired Animation
Over the last eight months, young people aged 11–18 accessing our Liverpool CAMHS NatureWell programme have taken part in an inspiring creative project that brought together the healing power of nature and the magic of animation.
Working in partnership with professional animators from Twin Vision, the group has created a brand-new film exploring what nature means to young people and how connecting with the natural world can support mental health. The project offered a unique opportunity for participants to express their experiences, develop new skills and collaborate on something truly meaningful.
This project has been made possible through Alder Hey Children’s Charity, thanks to a generous grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, which enabled us to deliver high-quality creative sessions and provide young people with access to specialist artistic support.
Throughout the project, participants attended weekly workshops held in our new outdoor NatureWell pod, an inviting space designed to help young people connect with nature as part of their therapeutic journey. With Springfield Park right outside, the group had constant access to natural inspiration as they developed their ideas.
During the workshops, the young people learned a range of animation techniques and were involved in every step of the creative process. Together, they shaped the storyline, designed characters, recorded narration and used their surroundings to influence the visual and emotional tone of the film.
Their final animation highlights the simple, practical ways young people can use their senses to connect with nature, whether at home, in a local park or even just by noticing small moments during the day. The film serves as a positive reminder of how nature can ground us, lift our mood and support mental wellbeing.
To mark the completion of the project, Alder Hey was proud to host a celebratory premiere in the Alder Hey MediCinema. Young people and their families gathered to watch the animation on the big screen for the very first time, creating a special moment of pride and achievement for everyone involved. The premiere also highlighted the continued impact of the NatureWell programme at Alder Hey, giving young people a safe, supportive environment to explore creativity, build confidence and connect with others.
This project was beautifully designed and developed in collaboration with our young people and Twin Vision. It’s an incredibly exciting and brilliant animation that perfectly captures the essence of why the NatureWell programme should be accessible to all children and young people.The animation is a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of our young people, and it highlights the significant role nature plays in their emotional health and well-being. You simply can’t watch this animation without feeling inspired to step outside and immerse yourself in all that nature has to offer."
“This has been an amazing project that has brought young people together and enabled them to learn new life skills, as well as exploring the power of nature and creativity on mental wellbeing. The young people should be very proud of their talents and achievements; they have created a wonderful resource for other people to enjoy, as well as helping us to consider how nature can impact our mental health so positively.”
I loved every minute of making this animation, my favourite part was doing the photography as I enjoy being in nature and being outside. If I had to rate the experience I would give it ten out of ten, I would really like the opportunity to do more stuff like this in the future.
"The animation reflects what nature means to young people who have attended the program. It highlights five important areas around nature connection being Contact, Beauty, Compassion, Emotion and Meaning. The work the young people have done will inspire not just the young people who access CAMHS but also staff around mental health and well being and the need to take care of ourselves through our connections with the natural world.
The finished film, What Nature Means to Young People, is now available to watch here on the Alder Hey YouTube channel.
NatureWell is a Liverpool CAMHS initiative designed to support young people’s mental health by using nature-based activities, outdoor exploration and sensory engagement. The programme provides a peaceful and supportive environment where young people can learn coping strategies, develop resilience and reconnect with the world around them. This animation project is a wonderful example of how creative expression and nature can combine to help young people thrive.
