With support from the Prime Foundation, the Gatton Trust, a charity committed to conserving the historic Gatton Park, has been able to expand their Forest School programme. This initiative provides local children and families with regular opportunities to explore, learn, and play in nature, helping them build confidence in an outdoor setting.
With the addition of new play and learning equipment funded by the Prime Foundation, the programme has been further enriched. ” For those families which came a for a number of sessions, it is possible to see the children grow in confidence in playing in the new environment. Many of the children who attended had not regularly played outdoors and so even a one-off visit gave them lots of new experiences”, said Louise Miller, Chief Executive of the Gatton Trust.
The equipment has been useful beyond Forest School activities, benefiting a wide range of groups including adults with learning difficulties and young carers, creating lasting benefits for the broader community.
“Just getting the family outside and having some fresh air feels like an achievement and makes us all feel better”
Parent