Get out there and feel the dirt!
Froglife’s Green Pathways project helps vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to take part in positive activities linked to wildlife and conservation in their local community. Peterborough Green Pathways has been running for 12 years, reaching thousands of children and young people across Peterborough and surrounding areas .
Green Pathways sessions are delivered to a diversity of young people, with the main aim of the project to deliver a practical conservation project in the young person’s local area. The project will improve wildlife and conservation knowledge as well as increasing, confidence, social skills and aspirations. Peterborough Green Pathways (2018-2021) has currently delivered 589 sessions, reaching 1022 young people, totalling 903 hours of conservation activities.
This ecotherapy style project is based on scientific research that suggests being outdoors and connecting with nature, has a hugely positive effect on an individual. It helps improve physical and mental health, as well as having a positive impact on learning, behaviour and social skills for people of all ages and abilities.
A photo taken by a Green Pathways participant.
What is on offer?
We take referrals from a range of organisations, including schools, pupil referral units, charities, and sometimes the young people themselves. We develop the projects and sessions to best suit the needs of each group and local green space. The main projects we run are the long-term projects. In school holidays, we may be able to offer one-off or outreach sessions.
Long-term projects
These projects consist of a ten-week project, consisting of two/two and a half-hour weekly sessions delivering a practical conservation project. Activities during these sessions might include:
- Pond restoration or creation
- Constructing wildlife homes such as hibernacula (amphibian refuges)
- Planting a wildlife or bog garden
- Species surveying and identification
- Creating a wildlife mural for a community garden
Wild Workshops
Consisting of holiday sessions for young people interested in practical outdoor activities, going on visits to different locations and joining in conservation tasks. Activities could include:
- Pond dipping
- Wildlife surveys
- Making animal homes
- Clay modelling
Above: Previous Green Pathways participants taking part in a nature walk, gardening and habitat creation
Outreach
For whole community youth clubs or youth groups in deprived areas, Froglife can visit and deliver interactive sessions with a wildlife theme.
- Wildlife identification and life-cycle
- Conservation of amphibians and reptiles
- Practical sessions using local green spaces, including pond dipping and site maintenance
Who can get involved?
We can deliver these sessions with young people aged 10-18 years. Young people are eligible for the scheme if they are considered vulnerable or disadvantaged in some capacity.
The young people participating may:
- live in a deprived area
- be out of mainstream education
- lack confidence
- have learning difficulties
- have a disability
- have behaviour issues
- be involved in substance abuse
- have issues with mental health
- be a young carer
This list is not exhaustive; please get in contact to discuss your young person’s eligibility for the project.
Quotes from previous participants and staff:
“Had I been a teacher observing an outdoors classroom lesson given by teachers, I would have rated Briony and Vaughan at least good-to-outstanding. As well as introducing the children to nature and the outdoors, the session was structured so that there were constant learning moments happening across key literacies (communication, language, working collaboratively, basic maths, and science). My overall impression was of children who might not engage with such structured learning in a classroom setting, but clearly did in an outdoor setting.”
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“I look forward to these sessions each week. I learn something new each time, I didn’t know before. I tell my grandson about the things I have learnt”.
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“This is the most relaxed I have felt in weeks, I love doing activities outside in nature”
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“The children that took part really enjoyed the session. For some it is the only time we have seen them so engaged and positive this year!”
How much does it cost?
It’s absolutely free! We may also be able to contribute to overcoming barriers such as transport.
Project Updates
We are currently booked up until March 2022 for projects, but we have availability to run Wild Workshops with the age group 16-18 years.
How do I sign up?
We are currently recruiting a new Learning Officer for this project. In the meantime, please email our Operations Manager for Small Projects for information: darren.starkey@froglife.org
Get Involved!
We are currently looking for volunteers to help assist with the delivery of the project sessions. Volunteers may occasionally help with admin and preparation, as well as sometimes supporting at public engagement events.
If you love being outdoors, enjoy inspiring young people and want to make a practical difference to gardens and habitats, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.
To express interest or find out more about volunteering for Peterborough Green Pathways contact: darren.starkey@froglife.org
Green Pathways Peterborough is generously funded by grants from the following organisations:
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Chapman Charitable Trust |
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