We are excited to announce the launch of our Green Pathways project in Glasgow. Thanks to successful funding from Young Start and The Robertson’s Trust, this fantastic new project will offer exciting opportunities for vulnerable young people to enjoy wildlife and be involved in outdoor activities.
Outdoor education is proven to positively influence the behaviour and self-discipline of young people and also enhances emotional development. Contact with nature has also been linked to reduced crime and aggression, and improved community integration and mental health. Green Pathways will use both of these tools to help young people with difficult lives work together to improve their communities and their own futures.
Jenny Leon, our Learning Coordinator at Froglife says:
“I am so pleased we are able to offer this opportunity to Glasgow’s young people. It’s really important that they get the opportunity to have positive experiences in the great outdoors. The benefits are huge to the young people themselves and it also helps us protect local wildlife and habitats- everyone wins!”
Green Pathways will reach out to disadvantaged or vulnerable 10-15 year olds in the Glasgow area – with scope to work to a lesser degree with other ages – who may be exhibiting challenging behaviour, lacking in confidence or could simply benefit from extra help to achieve their full potential. The target audience is wide ranging and could cover, for example, teenagers living in deprived areas, those not in mainstream education or with a difficult home life, young carers or refugees. We will be working with these young people as part of our integrated approach to youth work in the city; we already run a successful Green Pathways project in Peterborough, working with young offenders and people not in employment, education or training.
Each young person will work with Froglife for 2 hours a week for 6 to 12 weeks on a project that could involve anything from surveying for amphibians to clearing scrub or making a wildlife garden. The scheme will increase the confidence of participants by involving them in the planning and design of their project and encouraging them to work as a team. In conjunction with these longer term projects, Green Pathways will also be offering drop in sessions after school and during the holidays as well as outreach sessions where we will go out to local green spaces and parks, into schools and youth centres to deliver practical or classroom based sessions.
Our new team member and Conservation Youth Worker, Lauren Lochrie says:
“What a fantastic project to be involved in! I have been busy developing local partnerships and educational activities, now I’m keen to start delivering these fun and interactive sessions in order to benefit and enhance the lives of Glasgow’s disadvantaged youths”
The project will be working to improve green spaces for wildlife and people across the city for the next 2 years. If you are interested in getting involved or just want to find out more, please visit www.froglife.org/greenpathways or contact Lauren Lochrie on 0141 339 0737 or lauren.lochrie@froglife.org
Bullet points on Young Start
Young Start is a grants programme that distributes money from dormant bank accounts. It aims to create opportunities for children and young people aged between 8 and 24 to help them realise their potential.
The programme is delivered by the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.