Green Shoots

Who is Green Shoots for?

Green Shoots programmes work with young people from S1-S3 providing extra support in a safe, nurturing and therapeutic environment during the school week. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive space for young people to connect with the natural world, themselves and others in a small group setting. Through a range of practical outdoor activities and young person led sessions, young people can develop skills that give them the confidence and resilience to deal with a range of life’s challenges.

What do we do?

Green Shoots incorporates wilderness living skills, play and nature connection techniques to support young people to deepen their connection to the natural world and gain a greater sense of self, nature and an ability to connect with others. Young people work together on practical conservation tasks to build trust, learn new skills and help improve local greenspaces and take time out to explore and play to build up confidence and relax in a safe and supportive environment.

Who runs the sessions?

Programmes are led by the Green Shoots Project Co-ordinator, Kate Wilkinson, and are supported by adult volunteers. Skilled and experienced leadership promotes teamwork and positive ways of working with others.

External Achievements

Green Shoots supports the achievement of Youth Scotland’s Hi5 award and the IOL’s National Outdoor Learning Award (NOLA). At the end of a Green Shoots programme young people are supported to transition to other Green Team programmes.

When do the programmes run?

Programmes run one day a week for 8-10 weeks during term time.

Green Shoots programmes normally take place on a Tuesday and a Thursday and are generally delivered in the following ways:

Tuesday – Our Forest School programmes work with young people from a single school or agency.
Thursday – Our Multi-Schools Programme works with young people from different schools/referring agencies with 2 application intakes each year: one in Jan/Feb and one in Aug/Sept.

How to get involved

Forest School Programme: email Kate if your schoold/agency would be interested in running a Forest School programme.

Multi-Schools Programme: Complete the online form or download an application form (word doc) and return to Kate.

“An absolutely brilliant programme and supportive group of staff. Flexible and adaptable to the needs of our pupils, providing a really well thought out and engaging programme that has developed a real range of skills both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ for the young people involved which they have transferred over to school.”

“The young person I referred has thrived due to attending this programme. His parents have also noticed such a difference in his confidence. The staff were incredibly patient with him and supported his love of the outdoors whilst building his self-esteem and social skills.”

For pupils in S1-S3 who are currently experiencing challenges within their school or home lives and are keen to grow and develop in a safe and inclusive environment in a natural setting.