Growing Connections workshop at the Eden Project

Creating Connections

Creating Connections is a programme of nature activities for young people aged under 25 at the Eden Project. Activities enable teenagers and young adults to support their health and wellbeing by accessing green spaces and developing an understanding of and relationship with nature.

Starting in January 2024, we will be running a new photography course. It will help you to notice nature, connect with others and learn techniques for better images – unlocking the potential for connecting with nature using your phone.

This photography course runs for six sessions and is free of charge thanks to funding from Cornwall Community Fund. Booking is essential – please email natureconnections@edenproject.com or call 01726 818550.

About the course

Explore basic photography techniques, in this six-week course for 18-25 year-olds. Take a closer look at Eden’s plants and landscapes and learn basic techniques to take better images.

Many of us carry a camera phone. Using our devices to connect with what we see when we turn our attention outwards is a powerful tool to help us reconnect with nature and improve our wellbeing. The Eden Project's plants are the perfect subject matter to spark creativity and engage with nature. You can take these images away with you and revisit them at any time.

Suitable for complete beginners, the course will cover techniques like composition and lighting. Short practices will give you the opportunity to explore, choose what to photograph and incorporate new techniques in your images.

Group sessions enable you to spend time with others and share what you notice in Eden’s iconic gardens. Just bring along your phone, camera or tablet to take images and our friendly facilitators will share their knowledge and give you activities to try.

Every bit of wildlife close up is so pretty and has so much detail. I feel inspired by nature.

Participant

More information about the course

Dates and times

Dates for future courses have not currently been confirmed.

Where to meet?

We’ll meet you in the Visitor Centre Café at 10.30am. We’ll send further details when you book. We’ll explore the Biomes and gardens and, sometimes, the outer estate.

How to book

Booking is essential – please email natureconnections@edenproject.com or call 01726 818550. We’ll send you an application form to complete and further details about the session. We can help you complete the form over the phone. Do let us know about any additional needs, including allergies, so we can give you the best possible experience.

What to wear or bring

You’ll need to dress for the weather as you will walk outside and wear shoes suitable for walking. Temperatures do vary a lot; the Rainforest Biome is hot and humid and the Mediterranean can be hot on a sunny day but cold if it’s grey. We recommend wearing layers and bringing a bottle of water. You’ll also need your camera phone or another device to take pictures.

I think it’s really important to be in nature.

Participant

More opportunities for young people

Thanks to funding from the Cornwall Community Fund, we’re also able to provide bespoke programmes with other local organisations for young people who are experiencing or at risk of poor wellbeing and don’t have access to green spaces. Through nature-based activities like bushcraft, growing, foraging for food and crafts, or novel and wonderful experiences in Eden's Biomes, we’re supporting young people in rediscovering their relationship with nature. There are opportunities to reconnect and reignite their curiosity, to understand how nature can provide for them and what they can do for nature. For more information contact natureconnections@edenproject.com.

Other activities for better health and wellbeing

Therapeutic Horticulture in the Outer Estate

A gardening programme for those experiencing health-related problems, designed to improve mental and physical wellbeing. Run by our therapeutic horticulture practitioners, our Therapy Garden is tucked away at Eden in the Outer Estate, and is here to lift your spirits and make you feel at home.