A new approach to youth mental health
Young people across schools, colleges & universities are struggling with rising levels of anxiety, low mood and emotional overwhelm.
Support systems are under pressure, often stepping in at crisis point.
But what if we started earlier?
The Mindful Gut Project offers a preventative, upstream approach to youth mental health — focusing on the foundations of wellbeing, not just the symptoms.
Our progress so far…
The missing link: gut health and food & mood
Emerging research in the gut–brain connection shows that mental health is closely linked to physical health — particularly gut health, nutrition and daily habits.
What young people eat and how they live can directly impact:
mood and emotional regulation
focus and energy
resilience to stress
Yet this connection is rarely explored in mainstream education.
It's time to go UPSTREAM...
From reactive to preventative support
Current systems focus on downstream intervention:
crisis support
clinical services
short-term solutions
The Mindful Gut Project shifts the focus upstream — supporting young people before they reach crisis point.
This is not about replacing existing services, but strengthening them through early intervention and education.
Food is the most powerful lever for transforming human and planetary health.
What The Mindful Gut Project offers
A science-informed, practical wellbeing programme for FE colleges, universities and youth settings, combining:
✨ food and mood education
✨ gut health awareness
✨ simple, sustainable daily habits
✨ emotional wellbeing and self-regulation tools
Delivered through workshops, group coaching and collaborative programmes.
Why it matters
The journey of The Mindful Gut
When young people feel better in their bodies, they are more able to:
engage in education
improve attendance and focus
build resilience and confidence
move towards employment and independence
Supporting wellbeing early is not just compassionate –
it supports long-term educational and economic outcomes.
🌿 About the founder
The Mindful Gut Project is rooted in both lived experience and professional practice.
After experiencing severe anxiety, school refusal and challenges within further education, founder Cara has developed a unique approach that bridges gut health, mental wellbeing and education.
🌍 Work with us
The Mindful Gut Project partners with:
- FE and HE providers
- local authorities
- Corporate & Community organisations
to deliver impactful, preventative wellbeing programmes.
✨ Bring The Mindful Gut Project to your organisation
→ Enquire about programmes, talks, workshops or pilot projects
Why?
Cara, the face behind The Mindful Gut Project, is the Hay House author of Calm Your Gut.
As a coach trained in mindfulness and somatic movement, Cara’s talks and workshops are fun, interactive and experiential. Her secret sauce is self compassion!
It's time to talk about good gut health in an holistic way.
The Mindful Gut Project shares simple sustainable changes.
If you’re seeking a person to talk from the heart and gut of their lived experience – I’m your woman!
A few of my most popular offerings right now are:
- Get Gut Healthy in 5 !
- Fun, interactive Gut- Loving smoothie workshops
To find more about supporting your teaching team and students
Learn simple changes to finding the love and compassion in your food!
Achieving a radically more natural approach to finding and choosing food you love that loves you back!
This includes:
- Learning how Food shapes Mood!
- Discovering the magic of your microbiome
- Trying some practical fermenting!
Learn the simple joy of a healthy, happy, more mindful Gut!
Achieve physical and mental wellbeing
Discover how easy it is to change your gut, change your mind and change your life!
My mission is to inspire 1 million people to gut care!
