Forest School SNPT in Penderi
We want all children and young people to have the chance to be able to look back on their childhood with magical memories of playing in the woods or outdoors, getting muddy, discovering bugs and eating food cooked on the fire they made. Forest School is where children can be children, learn outdoors, be creative, engage in the natural environment, and work with fire safely. There is much more than this.
In the summer of 2023, we offered Forest School sessions on the Ravine, opposite the 104, this proved successful, however we wanted to look at how we could get more children and young people interested in attending those sessions.
Working alongside Pobl and other local organisations, it became apparent that there was a need for more regular activities to be available in the area.
We were successful in getting joint funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) to run regular Forest School sessions in Blaenymaes and Portmead Primary schools as well as offering community holiday sessions and term time ones whilst Kicks football sessions are happening. We have also delivered Level 2 Outdoor Play Practitioners Course where 5 local people / workers were able to benefit from free Forest School training.
Some of the feedback from the schools has been incredible:
“The children are able to concentrate more during the class”
“There is less disruption in class”
“We have had children return to school, so they can attend Forest School sessions”
Feedback from the children tells us they love the sessions:
“I like learning new outdoor activities and working in groups”
“I love roasting marshmallows and working together as a team. Making new friends and lighting fires”
“I liked all the different foods and making fires”
“I really liked the different craft and using the willow in different ways”
“It’s really fun and I liked making the wreaths”
Throughout the summer of 2024 we worked with the children in and around Cwm Cadle, a street with very little green space. The children and young people have been incredible, showing perseverance, patience, and creativity whilst learning new crafts and playing with each other.
We were fortunate to have a local volunteer working with us for the sessions who had also completed the free Forest School training. They live on the street, with first-hand knowledge of the children who attended. Here is what she said:
“I am beyond proud of each and every one of the children! I will do my best to help them continue with the things they have learnt. I have a box in my garden with the game they made, and materials for tent making. I’m hoping to catch them all together to go and get sticks/wood and they can use the box whenever they would like to.
I hear them chanting “PORTMEAD FOREST SCHOOL” often 😂
We literally can’t thank you guys enough for coming here, seeing through their past behaviours and problems and letting them just be children. God they really needed these sessions and it’s paying off!
I’ve also been learning each week and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to see forest school in action!
You guys and what you do is just…amazing 🥰”
We are currently seeking funds to continue with this work so we can continue building relationships, supporting local children to enjoy the beautiful green spaces in the area and providing alternative outdoor learning opportunities for as many children as possible in the Penderi areas (Blaenymaes, Portmead, Penplas and Cadle).