CHILDREN gathered in woodland in Sutton Manor to show Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell exactly how their funded forest school makes a difference to them.
Funded through the Police Commissioner’s Youth Diversion Fund, which is money seized from criminal activity and diverted into youth focussed projects across the city region, more than 60 young people, aged between five and 11 are getting the chance to try a variety of outdoor activities.
This has taken place throughout the Summer holidays and included den building, campfire cooking, wood craft, and foraging skills at the sessions delivered by My Outdoor Classroom CIC as part of a summer of vital engagement projects funded by the Police Commissioner.
In total, 23 projects have benefitted from a share of £100,000 from the Fund, giving more than 2,500 young people across Merseyside the opportunity to take part in positive, fun, exciting activities during the six-week summer holidays.
The money has been focused in areas where youth provision and community activities have been cut back following years of austerity, with a focus on providing young people with better opportunities and the chance to try new experiences and gain skills, while helping to prevent a spike in crime and anti-social behaviour which can occur during the summer months.
The forest school is based in woodland at the back of Sutton Manor Primary School and The Shining Lights Centre on Forest Road.
Today, Emily Spurrell joined one of the sessions to see first-hand the difference the summer sessions are having for young people in St Helens.
Here is what she had to say:
The My Outdoor Classroom CIC forest school aims to reconnect children with nature, providing a hands-on experience in a natural setting which helps to increase their health, well-being and confidence.
Sessions encourage exploration and knowledge-gathering, equip young people with problem-solving skills and increase resilience.
Here is what co-director and practitioner of My Outdoor Classroom CIC, Lisa Bostock had to say on the funding:
The Police Commissioner’s Youth Diversion Fund is currently open for applications for projects running over the autumn half term.
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