Heather Mulvey-Ryall
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Fundraising for Youth Options
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Please support my first half marathon to help me to raise money towards a fantastic place, that will improve life opportunities for many young people!
Youth Options has taken on a site on Bishopstoke Road in Eastleigh, previously a garden centre, to become an Outdoor Learning Centre. This will be a wild oasis in an urban area where children, young people and families can engage with nature. We are on a mission to raise £300,000 to enable us to clear the site, install accessible classroom facilities with a kitchen area, toilets, car park, pond dipping, habitat sites, shelters and pathways. We will also be considering a long-term pollution, wildlife biodiversity and tree management plan.
Providing a safe and supportive Outdoor Learning Centre for young people will change lives. I have already been privileged to work on outdoor learning projects, seeing the powerful positive impact that spending time outdoors has had to young people and families. Spending more time outside engaging with nature can improve mental health and well-being and the development of many social and emotional skills.
At Youth Options, we believe every young person has the potential to realise their abilities and aspirations, and to make a valuable contribution to their communities. Developing social and emotional skills underpins positive life outcomes including educational attainment, mental and physical health, employment status and behaviour. Working in partnership with both statutory bodies and voluntary organisations, we tailor our services to support those children and young people most in need. Those who’ve suffered adverse child experiences; are disadvantaged by virtue of their social and/or economic status; with special educational needs; excluded from school or on reduced timetables; children in care and care leavers. We are committed to empowering and supporting them to achieve a better future.