Nature Builders

Project has been completd - July 2024 (check out project progrees below)

Initial Proposal

I would like to run “Nature Builders”, regular workshops to help children connect with nature through arts, crafts, games, practical skills, story-telling, and mindfulness activities.

I have been passionate about the power of nature and connecting to it all of my life. I previously worked as a childminder, and know the importance of teaching concepts of sustainability, creativity and self-care from an early age whilst their minds are most open. For the past year, I have been working as a Forest School facilitator for the past year and will become certified as a Forest School leader by the end of 2023. I have seen first hand how much those children thrive at that Forest School, in terms of their physical and mental health but also their social conscience and that humans must share this world with its wildlife.

I am applying for funding as Forest Schools are typically over-subscribed and not affordable for the majority of families in Newham. My workshops would give local children a chance to experience the benefits of Forest Schools. I would help them to explore and educate about local urban nature, their habitats, why we need them and how we can help them survive, engage them with arts, crafts and games using elements from nature, use songs and story-telling to educate them about British wildlife, gather in a sharing circle to discuss feelings and do mindfulness activities, and also teach practical skills (e.g. tying different knots, building basic sheltered dens without tools).

I will be asking for £5000 to deliver these sessions (along with an assistant) over the 2023/2024 academic year, to include all administrative, publicity, research, development, evaluation, materials and necessary expenses.

I think it would cover the priorities in the following ways:

Health & Wellbeing - the workshops will specifically include mindfulness and well-being activities to improve/maintain good mental health, and incorporate games and activities that provide exercise so will tackle physical health also. There are general mental health benefits to socialising in a group, whilst providing free activities for families helps to reduce stress in the current costs-of-living climate.

Community Development & Participation - the workshops would help to bring together parts of the community and help form new friendships. We would hold workshops in community gardens, in which case the workshops may increase their visibility and attract more volunteers to their spaces.

Community Safety - the workshops will take place in the public realm. The more that public spaces are visited, the safer they feel (and the same is true of places that are looked after - as mentioned above under ‘Project Impact’, we will be teaching children to look after their green spaces).

UPDATE - MARCH

Nature Builders has had a very successful start. 28 children across 10 local schools registered and were given places for the workshops, which run twice a week after school.

We have completed the first half-term (February-March), and covered a range of topics including Imbolc (Spring festival), the Spring Equinox and equinoctial Earth Day, and various skills including shelter-building, foraging, nest-making, and whittling twig pens and making oak gall ink.

UPDATE - MAY

We have completed the second half-term (April-May), and covered a range of topics including Earth Day (the environmental campaign day) and Beltane (May Day), and various skills including balm-making, nettle cordage, felting, and whittling.

Nature Builders had a very exciting half-term, because the community gardeners at The UP Garden (where we are mostly based) built a bug hotel for the children to furnish, and prepared a low planter for them to grow food in - they planted edible flowers, carrots and peas. It is wonderful for these two generations to come together on such projects.

Even more exciting is that the BBC came to film one of our sessions as part of their feature on The UP Garden (where we are mostly based), so Nature Builders was on The ONE Show!

UPDATE - JULY

We have completed the third and final half-term (June-July), and covered a range of topics including the life cycle of bees and Summer Solstice, as well as various skills including making lemonade, tea bags, and end-of-term medals from tree discs and hand palm drills.

The children were most excited about their two long-term projects: seeing which insects visited their bug hotel which included a striped Jersey Tiger Moth, and harvesting nasturtiums and peas from their planter.

I am thrilled to have been awarded funding from People Powered Place, which allowed me to offer Nature Builders for free to 33 children across 10 schools.

FEEDBACK

The feedback I received:

“O loves the Nature Builders sessions… He’s really enjoyed exploring the Up Garden in a more structured way - exploring new parts through all the activities and games you organise. I am enjoying the additions to his vocabulary as he learns more new words, but more importantly I love all the fun he has! You and Anand have such a wonderful way with the children - O is so at ease with you (it’s the first ever class we’ve been able to leave him even for a short while) and really looks forward to Monday afternoons. Thank-you so much.”

“Firstly they are an excellent opportunity for E to have time in a garden when he wouldn’t normally get this. It has extended his friendships as he is attending with other kids, often older which has helped his confidence. It’s also clear that it is a great experience for him as he is always happy when the sessions are on and and if one is cancelled his little face drops.”

“I can honestly say that Monday is A’s favourite day of the week, purely due to nature builders. He has always loved nature - and giving him an opportunity to connect with nature through learning has opened his eyes to the beautiful world that we live in. Thank you Laura and Anand for bringing the sessions to us.”

“Laura it’s so clear how much love and energy you pour into every session and you engage with the kids in a really magical way ❤️ Thank you so much for working so hard to put on these sessions for our wonderful community. On a personal level, your kindness and gentle support and encouragement with A has meant a lot, which we’ve not often seen for him when trying different clubs and activities. We will all be there on Monday to celebrate Nature Builders family ❤️”

“We love how delighted you and Anand are to see the kids (and parents!) each week and it's the one after school event each week that we know our kiddos love and always come home with a smile on their face from. Thank you SO much!”

“Hi Laura, our routine has changed and L isn't able to attend Nature Builders any more - I want to thank you for the sessions she's been to and really hope we may be able to join again in the future because it was lovely to see her settle in and grow in confidence even in a short time. I hope you can pass on our place to another child. Thank you again.”

“Love it!! ❤️ Nature Builders is so beautiful. A can come home from school so wound up but she always comes back from yours with a smile and a skip in her step 🥰”

“N has really enjoyed it! We are so happy as he has thrived ❤️ all thanks to you and Anand for creating a beautiful space.”

“It is such a beautiful space that you create for the children (and adults!!) - R has thoroughly enjoyed it. He has always loved being outdoors but he has got a new level of confidence and interest that is so beautiful to see and be around. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts ❤️❤️❤️”