Help us deliver Forest School for Young People in Hackney
We are looking for donations to support our important Forest School programmes which will take place in deprived areas of Hackney in London.
We’re very excited to let you know that ecoACTIVE has been selected to participate in the Big Give Green Match Fund.
Donations to this project will be matched for 7 days from 20 - 27 April 2023.
One donation, twice the impact.
ecoACTIVE Forest Schools are 10-week programmes targeted at children aged 7-11 years who might not usually access green spaces or private after-school clubs.
Why do we need Forest Schools?
The pandemic has created diminished access to external services, and children in particular are experiencing mental and emotional challenges. The parents and professionals we have surveyed report that children have short attention spans, low concentration and lack confidence. They may live in a flat or have no access to the outdoors. They might be shy or anxious, and struggle to socialise, or lack the confidence to play freely or engage in spontaneous activities outdoors.
“[Pupil] does not go out at home very often so these sessions outdoors have been invaluable for her growth.”
How ecoACTIVE can help?
The project will give young people regular access to outdoor play activities which encourage creativity, imagination, good communication and listening skills, and chances to collaborate. We will run three 10-week forest school programmes, at two Adventure Playgrounds - Hackney Marsh and Shoreditch. Children who are supported with positive learning, socialising, connecting with nature and developing confidence in themselves are able to participate more fully in school based education.
What are we aiming to achieve with the funds raised?
Young people will have increased confidence and self-worth, as a result of taking part in a forest school programme.
40% of participants will have experienced significant progress in increasing their confidence and self-worth.
Young people will have enhanced social skills as a result of taking part in a forest school programme.
40% will have experienced significant progress in enhancing their social skills.
Young people will have increased emotional and mental health, as a result of taking part in a forest school programme
40% will have experienced significant progress in increasing their emotional and mental health.
Young people will feel an increased connection to nature as a result of taking part in a forest school programme.
40% will have experienced significant progress in increasing their connection to nature.
“[My child] really liked having space to run, learning the language and making friends”
What impact will this have?
Our Forest schools make a real difference to the young people attending. The adventure playgrounds provide a rich, stimulating environment for participants, where they can learn to explore and take managed risks in a safe setting. The sites are open to other young people from the surrounding community, allowing participants the opportunity to socialise and make friends. Participants will have increased well-being and feel more connected to nature, whilst having the chance to gain new skills.
How do we measure the impact?
The approach to monitoring and evaluation will be a combination of feedback from the young people participating, observations by ecoACTIVE staff, and feedback from a sample of parents and playground staff. For each child, we will measure distance traveled for each of the outcomes, and make an assessment as to whether they have experienced significant progress, have started to make progress, or are yet to experience any progress.
“I’ve seen a huge improvement in attitude to learning and general well-being for [pupil]. Thank you for helping to develop this.”
