Get out there and feel the dirt!
Froglife’s Green Pathways scheme empowers vulnerable and disadvantaged young people ages 8 to 18 (or up to age 25 if they have additional support needs) to improve their local greenspaces for wildlife, especially amphibians and reptiles.
We currently work within the following council areas:
- Glasgow
- Inverclyde
- Renfrewshire
- West Dunbartonshire
Over the course of a young person’s engagement with this project, we aim to improve their confidence and social skills and work on any behaviour issues they may have, as well as simply encourage them to take notice and gain appreciation for wildlife in their local area. There’s always so much to see and learn about in any green space! We signpost them to additional help and support, relevant to their wants and needs, and help them enjoy and learn about the natural world alongside gaining new practical skills. They get the opportunity to show what they can really achieve in a different environment.
This project rests on a mass of scientific research that evidences being outdoors and in particular connecting with nature, has a huge positive effect. It helps physical and mental health, learning, behaviour and social skills for people of all ages and abilities. For some people, their reaction to our indoor based society is extreme and although they may not know the reason, take them to a wild space and you can see them relax and open up.
What is on offer?
Scottish Green Pathways work outside of school hours, during evenings weekends and school holidays, with different youth groups and clubs, community groups and after school clubs in several areas in Scotland. Our project works with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people within our communities to best reach those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience wildlife and learn about the nature around them. Even the smallest area of low quality amenity grassland can host a wide variety of wildlife and with a small amount of effort we can work together to improve the space for more wildlife species. We tailor projects and activities to best suit the needs of each group and the green space we’ll be working on.
We can deliver a number of sessions during school hours to young people with additional support needs or who attend SEN schools in our project areas. Get in touch to find out more using the details below!
Long-term projects
Young people plan, carry out and showcase a project which benefits wildlife and people in a local nature reserve, community garden or park. Projects might include:
- Planting a wildlife or bog garden
- Creating hibernacula (amphibian refuges)
- Creating bird boxes and bird feeders
- Restoring or creating a pond
- Creating a wildlife mural for a community garden
Hibernaculum creation with young people at Lambhill Stables.
Short Term and One-off sessions
Consisting of one-off school holiday and after-school sessions for young people interested in practical outdoor activities but who don’t have a lot of time available to complete them. There is also scope to develop sessions for family groups.
Activities could include:
- Pond dipping
- Creating a pond, bog garden or minipond
- Wildlife surveys
- Making animal homes
- Den building
- Clay modelling
Who can get involved?
Our main target audience is young people aged 8-18 years, with scope to work ages 18 to 25 who are considered to be vulnerable or disadvantaged in some way. For example, they may:
• Live in a deprived area
• Not attend mainstream school
• Lack confidence
• Have limited access to the outdoors
• Have additional support needs
• Have behaviour issues
• Be involved in alcohol or drugs
• Be causing trouble inside or outside school
• Have mental health problems
• Be a young carer
How much does it cost?
It’s free! For vulnerable and disadvantaged young people within our project areas all sessions are free. And we may be able to offer help to overcome barriers such as transport and outdoor clothing. Sometimes, the young people themselves fund-raise towards the cost of the project to gain a greater sense of ownership, though we are able to provide all necessary equipment and materials at Froglife.
We also have scope to deliver paid-for educational sessions and events to those outwith our project areas and aims, please contact our Development Office, Louise Smith, using the information below to discuss your needs further.
If you’d like to talk to the Scottish Green Pathways project team about sessions for your group, community green space, club or just to ask any questions please use the contact details at the bottom of this page and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Young people from Quarriers Opt-In went pond dipping at a wildlife garden and found some fabulous newts! Both efts and adults as well as some Large Red Damselflies that enjoyed resting on our net…
Froglife would like to thank our funders for their support of the Scottish Green Pathways project;
Young Start aims to create opportunities for Scotland’s children and young people aged eight to 24 to help them realise their full potential. Young Start is a grants programme run by The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money from dormant bank accounts. Dormant accounts are deposits of money in bank and building society accounts where there has been no activity for 15 years or more.
We would also like to thank the Hugh Fraser Foundation and the Sabina Sutherland Charitable Trust for their support of the project.
Contact
Louise Smith – Development Officer, Scottish Green Pathways
07985 566 381
For information on Froglife’s other education projects, click here.