Natures Playground need your support to fund resources for children and youth to participate on our forest school program. These sessions are open for all especially those who have been socially excluded and have barriers to learning.

I have been a classroom based teacher for 7 years and have witnessed the change in education for children and the impact that the environment has on their mental health and well being. Not all children are able to maintain attention and learn within a classroom environment for extended periods. Children become labelled as having difficulties with their behaviour and some are excluded or expelled from their school. A school is suppose to be a community in itself where children form positive relationships, learn, feel safe, happy and prosper. When a child is expelled from this environment that child can develop feelings of rejection. This has a direct impact on their personal attitude and holds negative memories of education when they are in their adult life. The child's behaviour is not the issue its their environment that needs to be addressed. Children and young adults should not get to the point where they are expelled from school due to their behaviour being 'out of control'. Measures should be made and research taken to explore alternative ways to prevent and manage this.

Some children have or are still experiencing difficult circumstances within their home or family life.This may be due to homelessness, living in temporary accommodation, in foster care or have social services involved in their care due to child protection concerns. These life experiences have an impact on mental health. Whether it is shown as a child or it is later revealed as an adult, their mental health is a vulnerable factor. Children are not shown how to be emotional intelligent and how to react and deal with difficult circumstances in life. Being outside, especially close to nature has proven benefits on mental health.

Every Child Matters and every child is special and unique. I decided to explore alternative ways of education that will have benefits holistically. Forest School enables children to explore without time limitations in a natural environment that promotes holistic development. Children are taught how to be self reliant, resistant and independent learners through skills they practice and social interaction with others. They also learn about the environment and themselves and learn how to apply Maths, Science and English in a practical and fun way. Forest school differs from outdoor learning since programs can run with the same group of individuals from 6-32 weeks. This enables them to build a community they can trust and respect. They will also show progress in areas of development and have time to showcase and master their talents and what they have learned.

Some of the activities include; group discussions, meditation, wood craft, furniture making, arts and crafts, tree identification, fire lighting, cooking, shelter building, team building games, storytelling, nature trail.

Natures Playground is launching sessions in Leytonstone (London) targeting children and youth that may of never been given this experience before and will benefit immensely from our programs. In support of these sessions we are asking our community for funding to help buy multiple resources to ensure our children have everything they need to excel on our programs. This includes; tools (one per child or two sharing), fire starting kits, tarpaulin, waterproof clothing and spare welly boots, material, books, magnifying glasses and binoculars.

When you donate to Natures Playground no matter how small or large it may be, you are joining us as a charity to support these children's lives that matter. We can guarantee all money raised will be used with accountability going directly towards equipment and resources.

We admire and strongly appreciate your generosity. Thank you in advance for helping to make a difference.

Blessings to all.