Happiness Outdoors Project

Who We Help, Why We Help & the Difference It Makes

What We Do

HOP works with children in a positive way to support social and emotional wellbeing through activities which promote collaboration, resilience and self-confidence.  

HOP achieves this by providing space and opportunities for: autonomy, independence and freedom to choose; problem-solving and productive struggle (independent or collaborative); mistake-making; managed risk-taking; creativity and skill development; mindfulness; and responsibility. 

HOP sessions are run by two Outdoor Learning Facilitators and supported by community volunteers who are passionate about being outdoors in nature and gardening. They have qualifications and experience in teaching, forest school, keeping allotments, outdoor therapeutic skills and outdoor and mental health first aid.  

HOP’s activities develop nature connections in 3 key areas: 

Connecting with Growing –  

HOP supports children to engage in practical hands-on activities to develop growing areas into a healthy and abundant allotment, growing a range of vegetables, fruit and flowers.  

Children work through the seasons to improve the health of the soil, prepare growing areas, plants seeds, care for the growing plants and harvest their produce. Even limited growing areas in school grounds can provide an abundant harvest. When possible, the produce is eaten by the children during a HOP session – straight from the plants, cooked over a bonfire or processed into something delicious like apple juice!  

Children begin to learn where food comes from and may be willing to taste something new and different that they grew and cooked themselves. 

Connecting with Wildlife & Nature –  

HOP works with children to develop and use some of the wilder areas of the school grounds. Working in these areas through the seasons, HOP supports children to learn about the wildlife living on our doorstep and what we can do to help it thrive.  

Appreciating seasonal cycles of nature also opens up opportunities for natural craft activities. Using materials on the school grounds or brought in from nearby parks and woods there are all sorts of things that can be made in groups or individually – from weaving willow garlands to creating collaborative natural collages, wooden beads, instruments or ornaments. 

Natural materials also offer options for free wild play, allowing children to become master chefs in the mud kitchen or architects of elaborate dens. Seasonal colours, textures, sounds and smells also inspire mindfulness in nature practices, helping children reflect, reset and carry a sense of calm into their lives. 

Connecting with People –  

A key part of developing connections with nature also involves building relationships between people and the community around nature awareness. These connections take place simultaneously as children work together through the different activities. But they also extend beyond the sessions to the school and wider community through linked volunteer activities on the site and specific events to share information and resources. As children gain in confidence outside in nature, they are inspired to continue the fun at home with their families and friends motivating further nature connections outside school. 

The local community volunteers involved with the project at each schoolhelp to deliver sessions and share their own love and knowledge of the natural world. Their connection with HOP offers ways to work as an intergenerational project; giving children and adults the chance to develop new relationships; breaking down barriers between the generations and reducing stereotypes and ageism. Volunteering opportunities may also provide direct benefits including feelingsof being valued, sharing and reviving skills and crafts, reducing loneliness and social isolation and helping volunteers feel part of the community.  

Volunteer

Volunteers will support HOP’s outdoors sessions during the school day; working alongside the HOP team to help children to engage fully in activities to bring about nature connections and support their mental and physical well-being. 

Activities are carefully planned and risk assessed and will include gardening, wildlife identification and conservation, natural crafts, bonfire cooking, forest school free play, and guided mindfulness in nature. 

Volunteers should be willing to engage in activities with a positive open mindset, a love of the outdoors, a willingness to share knowledge and experience with the project and participants and to get wet and muddy. 

Volunteers will require DBS checks and to work within HOP and partner school policies.  

 Volunteers will:

•  Support the work of HOP; Enjoying time outdoors and being active and connecting with nature
• Enjoy working with children and sharing  your knowledge and skills  

Tasks and responsibilities include: 

• To familiarise yourself with all health and safety paperwork including site, daily and activity risk assessments as prepared by the Outdoor Learning Facilitators 

• To take part in any session briefings from the Outdoor Learning Facilitator 

• To assist children with their kit e.g. waterproofs and protective clothing, tools etc. 

• To support and encourage the children to engage with nature and participate in activities 

• To act as a role model and support the children as they explore new environments 

• To demonstrate the safe use of tools during activities 

• To enable the children to judge risk and grow in confidence throughout the project 

Community Trail