Community engagement
At the heart of the Birch Forest Schools provision is the drive to engage communities with the outdoors.
Whether the community is an existing group or comes together for a Birch Forest Schools session, the forest schools ethos of promoting confidence, self esteem and social interaction through setting small achievable tasks and positive reinforcement hold sway.
Community engagement is about involving people and families in activity that will ultimately improve their lives. By creating and promoting play opportunities for families in the woodland environment, Birch Forest Schools are connecting communities with nature and helping fulfil a basic need within us all.
Case study: Urban Wildlife Project
The Urban Wildlife Project is a lottery funded project devised and delivered by Birch Forest Schools in partnership with the Thornton Lodge Action Group (TAG)
Case study: Marsden and Slaithwaite Family days
Birch Forest Schools were invited to deliver and co-deliver three of the four free family events run throughout Summer 2010.
The purpose of the programme was to engage families in activities that they might normally find difficult to take part inwhether it be through lack of knowledge or for financial reasons.
All the events were free, sponsored by the Jo Barnes Fund and the Community Spirit second hand shop.
Fathers day family bushcraft poster >>
Explorer walk poster >>
Forage Walk poster >>
"Alan made me feel as ease from the very start using things like shouting names out without making me feel stupid. He gave us all a chance to participate in each task while showing everyone support, advice and praise. Alan spoke to me as an adult and did n’t make me feel stupid"
