Charity uses nature to reduce persistent absenteeism
Amrit Virdi
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Hundreds of young people have benefitted from therapeutic experiences in nature as part of an outdoor initiative designed to help children back into education.
Latest figures from Children’s charity Barnardo’s Scotland shows that its B-Wild programme has supported more than 800 young people aged from one to 24 since it launched in 2020.
National Lottery Heritage Funding funding for the project has been extended until 2025, despite being due to end last month.
The nature-based initiative helps young people struggling to attend school and develop relationships with their peers by offering therapeutic support to help bring them back into education. It also provides greater attachment to nature and increased self and social awareness, according to Barnardo's.
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Special Report: Adventures Outdoors
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The Big Debate: How can outdoor learning sector boost access for all young people?
It supports young people in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Inverclyde, Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire and is planned to expand to cover Fife later this year.
Claire Reid, B-Wild project co-ordinator at Barnardo’s, said: “One of the referral criteria for B-Wild is low or no attendance at school. Also, all participating young people struggle with peer relationships and making friends. The project offers children, young people and families the chance to benefit from outdoor learning, outdoor play and therapeutic practice in nature.
“Many of the young people attending B-Wild sessions have bonded and made friends with others on the programme. Others have very much found their ‘voice’ and developed some really important communication skills. Of course, in this process they have developed a stronger connection to nature and a desire to protect it – something that is more important than ever.”
CYP Now’s special report in the April edition of the magazine focusses on Adventures Outdoors.
It assesses key policy developments, highlights examples of good outdoor education practice that caters for a range of needs, and experts debate what the next government must do to make learning outside more accessible for all children and young people.
Listen to episode 5 of the CYP Now podcast to hear more about outdoor learning.
