Green Shoots: Transition Days
Our Green Shoots programme supports young people around the age of 12-14 (S1-S3) who are experiencing challenges in their life. The programme runs during term time in blocks of 8-10 weeks and gives the young people the opportunity to develop as individuals in a safe and supportive space, using the outdoors to develop their confidence, self-esteem, communication and team working skills as well as fostering a connection with nature through conservation work and learning wilderness skills.
Towards the end of the holidays our new cohort from Forrester’s High School spent 3 days together to get to know each other better through games and outdoor activities: time in the woods, at the beach and walking alpacas! We had 6 young people at the sessions led by Green Shoots Co-ordinator, Kate Wilkinson, together with a member of the school staff and 2 Green Team volunteer leaders. This 3 day ‘transition’ then leads into the main programme which starts next week with greater emphasis on conservation work and the introduction of new outdoor skills, developing their essential life skills and self-esteem along the way.
Green Shoots: Changing Lives
We see each year the transformative difference this programme can make to young people at such an important stage in their lives. During our last Green Shoots Advanced Programme one parent made a very kind donation to ensure all the young people on the programme got a Green Team hoodie. Geraldine explains why she made the contribution:
“We got to meet Kate from Green Shoots when she came to our house to meet our son. They hit it off straight away with their passion for outside. Our son getting and accepting a place on Green Shoots has been the making of him and his passion for outside and learning new tasks has built his confidence. He enjoys how he learned to make bread and soup and work as part of a team. The passion the adults put in the course is absolutely amazing and it’s been lovely to watch our child’s confidence grow. The smile on his face when he comes home after his day out with green shoots no amount of money can buy that smile, so thank you to everyone for having our child on the course. That is why we donated some money towards hoodies for the kids.”
