Green Pathways is a funded scheme that helps vulnerable and disadvantaged young people across East and West Sussex to take part in positive activities linked to wildlife and conservation in their local community. Sessions consist of practical outdoor activities in local green spaces. Young people will gain confidence, social skills and knowledge of the environment and conservation when undertaking their project. We are excited to be funded by the National Lottery Community Fund to deliver sessions during 2020-2021.
Young people that are involved will go on a wildlife journey through regular sessions with our Development and Learning Officer, and help to shape the activities they cover. We aim to provide a space where young people can improve social skills and confidence, with a variety of individual and team activities. We encourage our young people to learn new practical skills related to nature conservation, to achieve positive outcomes for wildlife. Sessions will include a range of practical habitat work (for example pond building), building bug hotels, learning how to identify wildlife, and creative and wellbeing focused activities.
Sussex Green Pathways is expanding the range of Froglife’s Green Pathways projects, and will use knowledge gained from already established projects in Peterborough and Glasgow, with staff sharing skills and ideas to build local partnerships and provide an exciting programme of activities for young people.
Who is eligible?
We work with young people up to the age of 18 or 24 if they have a learning disability who fit the criteria of being vulnerable or disadvantaged. Eligibility can include SEND, NEET, Young Carers, Poverty & Deprivation and many more.
Sussex Green Pathways sessions
Long term sessions
In 2021 we have piloted blocks of 10 week sessions (one session per week) with groups in Eastbourne and Lewes, comprised of young people not in mainstream education, and are trialling a shorter 6 week programme through West Sussex Mind near Worthing. We can tailor our offer and are trialling different formats in 2021, so please get in touch if you would like to discuss this further.
Activities may include:
- pond building
- creating bug hotels and hibernacula
- art and craft activities
- nature exploration challenges
- connection to nature and wellbeing activities
One-off sessions
We can deliver single sessions for holiday clubs, after-school sessions and other organisations that feel like their young people may benefit from a conservation-based activity session.
Schools
For schools in deprived areas in East and West Sussex, and for children experiencing difficulty as a result of Covid, we can visit and deliver interactive sessions within school grounds. These can be one-off or repeat sessions, and can be tailored to the needs of the school and young people.
Project Update
We currently have capacity to deliver more one-off and regular sessions, over the summer holidays and also starting at the beginning of the autumn term. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more. We are fully funded, which means sessions will be delivered at no cost to the participant/school, and we can even offer assistance with travel.
Quotes from staff, parents and young people who have attended Sussex Green Pathways sessions
‘It’s a great medium to learn more about the students I work with.’
‘My Daughter and I attended Sussex Green Pathways hosted by Chloe Dalglish. We have both found it hugely beneficial to our wellbeing, being outside in nature learning about it, and we are delighted to of made some new wonderful friends from it also.
Chloe is extremely knowledgeable, professional, understanding and friendly. She has worked with my special needs daughter wonderfully. It can sometimes be a challenge to get my daughter to groups and she requires a lot of amendments and care. Chloe demonstrated this perfectly and showed a comprehensive understanding of her needs.’
‘It has been a brilliant experience, I have really enjoyed it.’….’I found it interesting and fun.’…..’The sessions are fun and Chloe is lovely and it’s really nice to get outside and do something active.’
Contact Chloe.dalglish@froglife.org for further information.
For information on Froglife’s other education projects, click here.