AN innovative partnership has received a national award after creating a “compelling model” for the future of young people's mental health care.

Newquay Orchard and Restormel CAMHS/CAMHS Goes Wild! at Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has been presented with a Psychiatrist Team of the Year Sustainability award for innovation in young people's mental health care.

The pioneering initiative is helping young people improve their mental health through nature-based activities and community connection.

Clare Cooney, Molly Jenkins, Dr Beth Chapman, Dr Richard Wilson received the award on behalf of Newquay Orchard and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust at a ceremony held at the Royal College of Psychiatrist headquarters in London on Thursday, November 5.

The award recognises the success of a pioneering approach that embeds nature-based interventions and lifestyle medicine into clinical care, while connecting young people with community-based opportunities that support recovery, wellbeing and resilience.

Newquay Orchard, working alongside Restormel CAMHS and young people themselves, has helped develop a place-based model that addresses wider determinants of health through practical, outdoor and community-focused activities.

The partnership offers young people opportunities to reconnect with nature, build confidence, develop new skills and establish supportive community networks beyond traditional clinical settings.

The Royal College of Psychiatrist awards celebrates the best and brightest teams in their field.

Judges praised the programme for the way it has integrated nature-based lifestyle medicine into everyday service delivery, describing it as "a compelling model for the future of young people's mental health care."

The judging panel said: "From a very strong field, what set Restormel apart was how deliberately they are building nature-based lifestyle medicine into the everyday running of their service, from a co-designed garden used for appointments to new training for staff and rewritten governance processes.

"With support across the trust, strong community partnership and careful evaluation already showing encouraging clinical outcomes, this is a compelling model for the future of young people's mental health care.

"The Restormel CAMHS team have led on an innovative project that embeds nature-based interventions and lifestyle medicine into the clinical service. The project is an excellent example of sustainable mental healthcare that is low carbon, improves prevention, and empowers patients and staff."

Clare Cooney, learning and wellbeing mentor at Newquay Orchard, said: "We are incredibly proud to have played a role in this award-winning partnership.

“This recognition reflects what can be achieved when healthcare services, community organisations and young people work together. By creating opportunities for connection, purpose and engagement in nature, we are helping young people improve their wellbeing while building lasting links into their communities."

The award highlights growing evidence that nature-based and community-centred approaches can play an important role in supporting mental health outcomes, complementing traditional clinical care and helping young people build the foundations for long-term wellbeing.

Newquay Orchard and Restormel CAMHS remain committed to expanding opportunities for young people to access innovative, preventative and sustainable mental health support across Cornwall as the partnership continues to develop. The plan is to roll out the scheme to different places.