Outdoor Participation
The Outdoor Participation Team work with our partner organisations to provide a variety of progressive outdoor learning opportunities for all
The Outdoors Participation Team offers a variety of activities which lay the groundwork for the rest of a young person’s life, enabling them to become successful in education and employment.
We want to encourage young people to get outside, enjoy taking part in outdoor activities and develop a love for everything outdoors.
Our services can provide:
- bespoke outdoor learning programmes tailored for the needs of the individual or group
- re-integration into education and training
- improvement in physical and mental health and well-being
ReWilding the Mind
An early intervention programme offering small group, therapeutic, nature-based provision for young people aged 10+
ReWilding the Mind focuses on nature connection and well-being, with a range of nature-based activities, including:
- bushcraft
- outdoor cooking
- yoga
- mindfulness
- exploration
- creative arts
- interaction with animals
- gardening
- practical conservation
- walking in nature
- music
The ReWilding the Mind well-being programme aims to ensure that each young person who attends has defined outcomes and objectives to support the positive impact on their well-being.
Hampshire Outdoors have supported us with two projects: setting up an onsite Forest School and with ReWilding the Mind. Both projects have seen a reduction in heightened behaviours with some of our young people.
Outdoor Achievement Programme
A referred programme of 1-to-1 support for young people who have an Education Health Care Plan or are involved in multi-agency support, and who are not in education, employment or training. The Outdoor Achievement Programme promotes future achievement, attainment and success.
We support young people on the programme to attend a variety of personalised outdoor learning experiences. Our staff provide termly reports and attend meetings with education and health care professionals, to provide evidence of the individual's progress for accreditation towards youth awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh and John Muir award.
JT always talks enthusiastically about attending his sessions, he talks fondly about the experiences he has and always engages in lessons with us after his sessions with Hampshire Outdoors.
Outdoor Pathways
A small group-work programme offered to young people at Minstead Study Centre, amongst the beautiful woodlands of the New Forest
This outdoor provision is centred around bushcraft and outdoor learning models. Through these outdoor learning opportunities, we enable young people who are struggling with the standard curriculum and attainment at school, to express themselves and learn through structured activities in the outdoors.
Outdoor Pathways leads to gaining a national AQA qualification (if the school is accredited), Duke of Edinburgh Awards and the John Muir Award.
The Outdoor Pathways programme has made a massive difference to our students. They love the outdoors and this has become a lifeline for them as they are unable to cope with the constraints of a mainstream classroom all week. We've seen hugely positive changes in the students and one particular student who was barely attending school last year attended the outdoor learning sessions and he is now in school full-time thanks to the work from the Hampshire Outdoors team.
Growing Spaces
An on-site programme delivered at educational and residential establishments. Outdoor learning educators work with a small group of learners to create an outdoor learning environment.
Offering hands-on activity to create outdoor classroom areas, we support and encourage environmental awareness and understanding for the learners. Activities on offer are bespoke to your setting and dependent on your site's requirements.
The creation of outdoor learning environments and the support you will receive to link it to the curriculum, results in an outdoor space which can be utilised and developed by the whole setting.
Hampshire Outdoors have supported us with two projects, Setting up an onsite Forest School and with Rewilding the Mind. Both projects have seen a reduction in heightened behaviours with some of our young people.
Further information and contact
For more information on Outdoor Participation programmes and how to apply for them, email [email protected]. You can also call our team on 01962 876218 to talk about how we may be able to support you.
