morgans wood

What is Forest Schools?

The philosophy behind Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. By participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities in a woodland environment each participant has an opportunity to develop intrinsic motivation and sound emotional and social skills.

Forest Schools has demonstrated success with children and young people of all ages who visit the same local woodlands on a regular basis and through their experiences, have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, sustainability, tap into their creativity, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. Forest School programmes run throughout the year going to the woods in all weathers (except for high winds). Participants use tools and learn a variety of skills, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self motivated.

What is the aim of this project?

All young people require access to high-quality universal services, but young people with additional needs also require targeted support from services.
As these young people's needs are not met by mainstream or specialist services in isolation, they frequently do not get the balance of support and challenge they need. They often have multiple issues and needs which can start to be identified and addressed within a project such as Forest Schools, which provides a perfect setting within which to do this work.

Forest Schools provides an alternative approach to identifying the issues which might be preventing engagement in the school system. Working in partnership with a school or service such as “Positive Activities for Young People” could lead to greater re-engagement and the right support reaching the young person when it is most needed.

How will this be staffed?

Running the project is Suzy Isted,a qualified Forest Schools Leader and PGCert qualified youth worker with the assistance of Paul Funnell, a Senior Youth Worker for LDD young people, BA Hons qualified youth worker and trained Forest Schools Leader. There will also be volunteers ranging from professionals who already work with people with special needs to a full time woodsman.

Both the owners Darren and Siobhan have enhanced CRB checks from Croydon and have relevant experience in working with young people in outdoor settings. They are both prepared to support in a voluntary capacity when available. Darren is a woodsman, with a wealth of knowledge to impart, and will be at the woods for the majority of the time to supervise the young people’s involvement in the maintenance of the wood.