by [email protected] | Jun 18, 2025 | Beekeeping, Slough, Social Action, Volunteering, Youth Work
Regular readers will know that one of our most exciting recent initiatives has been our youth-led beekeeping project. You can read more about the project here and explore how it’s connected to young people’s mental health and science-based discovery here. So, what’s the latest?
In September 2024, we were delighted to bring two hives to the Riverside Centre in Chalvey, thanks to the support of our colleagues at SWIPE. Following a consultation with our young volunteers and the wider community, the hives were named – with typical flair – Cardi Bee and Beeyoncé.
Throughout the autumn, our team carefully fed both hives, hoping they would survive the winter. Cardi Bee pulled through, but sadly, Beeyoncé did not, leaving us with a spare hive come spring.
Fast forward to 2025, and the remarkably dry spring has spurred remarkable hive activity. Cardi Bee’s colony grew rapidly, and a breakaway swarm was successfully captured and rehomed in Beeyoncé. That means both hives are now active again – Cardi Bee continuing to flourish, and Beeyoncé starting anew under the leadership of the queen who was previously the monarch in the adjacent hive.
Since our last update, there have been several exciting developments:
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Young volunteers attended a hands-on session with Chalfonts Beekeepers’ Society focused on swarm control. Their learning proved invaluable when the real swarm emerged – they knew exactly what to do.
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The team also received training on tackling varroa mites, parasitic insects that can harm bee colonies.
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Weekly hive inspections have continued, with young people checking for signs of swarming and monitoring the wellbeing of both hives.
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Most recently, we’ve begun delivering introductory awareness sessions on the importance of bees and beekeeping. Just last week, the 13th Slough Scouts visited our hives at Riverside to learn more.
We’re proud of the progress made – and even more excited for what’s to come. For the latest photos and real-time updates, be sure to follow us on Instagram here.
by [email protected] | Jun 7, 2025 | Beekeeping, Mental Health, Participation, Social Action, Youth Work
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.
by [email protected] | Feb 7, 2024 | Beekeeping, CEO's blog, Cohesion, Mental Health, Participation, Slough, Social Action, Youth Work
Today marks a significant occasion, long-awaited and carefully prepared for! A group of young people from Slough are embarking on a journey to Ley Hill Cricket Club, eager to begin their education in the art of beekeeping.
But how did we reach this point? The British Science Association (BSA), along with the University of Reading and Slough CVS, extended invitations to community groups and charities in Slough and Reading. These groups primarily serve communities that are either new to research or typically underrepresented in such endeavours, inviting them to participate in a Community Led Research Pilot.
Initial discussions between the young volunteers of Together As One (Aik Saath) and representatives from the University of Reading and SCVS revealed a strong interest among the young people in the natural world and environmental issues. Some were concerned about climate change, while others were eager to contribute more to environmental causes.
Throughout the summer of 2023, the young volunteers participated in a diverse array of environmental activities, including upcycling clothing, canal cleaning, and learning about bat conservation and beekeeping. Among these activities, the beekeeping session emerged as a favourite among the young people. Their feedback indicated a strong enjoyment of all sessions, with beekeeping being the preferred pursuit to carry forward.
So, what came next? The university recognized the value of the young people’s journey, and due to the success of the initial exploratory projects, a decision was made to delve deeper. It became apparent from the outset that engagement in environmental activities could benefit the young people, and beekeeping was a subject they wished to explore further.
After successfully reapplying to the BSA, the project was selected to explore the impact of beekeeping on young people’s mental health. The search began for a beekeeping club or society willing to offer support. Several societies were contacted, and one, Chalfonts Beekeepers’ Society, enthusiastically offered their assistance. Their President, Sarah Peterson, has been supportive from the outset, and the society has generously collaborated to develop a training program for the young people.
While bees play a vital role in humanity’s survival, they aren’t always viewed positively. Securing accessible land willing to host a hive posed challenges. However, a pocket park next to Cocksherd Woods in Britwell has been identified as the ideal site. The volunteer-led site has everything a hive might need, including security, level surfaces and access to water via a pond (not essential but most welcome). Moreover, this initiative has the potential to contribute to broader initiatives aimed at making Slough more hospitable to wildlife, facilitated by the newly established Green Slough Community Development Trust.
Meanwhile, the university introduced the project team to Prof. Ciara McCabe, a renowned academic in mental health research, and her doctoral student, Sena Demir Kassem. They lead the research aspect of the project, focusing on mental health. Additionally, the project team is gaining valuable insights from them into the research process undertaken by universities and how to collaborate effectively with higher education institutions.
Please check back to follow our journey!
