From Bees to Belonging: the impact of beekeeping on young people’s mental health
Last year, we partnered with the University of Reading, the British Science Association, and UK Research and Innovation to begin a beekeeping project in Slough. Co-designed with young people, the programme offered more than just practical experience with hives – it created space for connection, learning, and emotional well-being.
As Professor Ciara McCabe outlines in her brilliant blog post for Mental Health Week, the project explored how purposeful, community-based activities can help support young people experiencing anhedonia – a key symptom of depression marked by a loss of interest or pleasure in life. Her research shows that meaning, self-identity, and helping others are strongly linked to improvements in mental health.
Over 12 weeks, young people aged 14 to 18 took part in weekly beekeeping sessions led by the Chalfonts Beekeepers’ Society. They learned how to care for bees, harvest honey, and understand the biology and environmental significance of pollinators (you can read more about the project here). But beyond the technical skills, we saw young people grow in confidence, form new friendships, and find moments of calm and joy.
Interviews and focus groups with participants revealed powerful themes: some joined nervously but were soon drawn in by the rhythm and focus of the work; many described improvements to their emotional well-being; others spoke of the pride they felt contributing to something bigger than themselves.
As the team delivering this programme, we saw first-hand how being part of a purposeful community can support young people in building identity, routine, and resilience. We have long recognised that meaningful mental health support doesn’t always need to come from clinical settings – sometimes, it can begin with a hive of bees, a shared sense of care, and the quiet magic of doing something together.
For those interested in finding out more, Professor McCabe’s full reflections can be found in her blog post, From Bees to Belonging: How Purpose and Community Can Heal Young Minds.