Outdoor learning and promoting the benefits of nature connection in the outdoors is key to our community development and citizenship aims. We believe all ages should have the opportunity to play, explore and grow in their community woodland.
The Wild Ways
Education visits for adults and families are also supported by Friends of Glenan Wood. Our ranger uses the wild ways well model to promote sensorial immersion and a spirit of curiosity on our guided walks. Incorporated with activities which promote the core routines for nature connection; bespoke walks can be tailored to a variety of ages, stages and comfort levels.
Wild Ways Well is structured around the Five Ways to Wellbeing, an internationally recognised framework for promoting good mental health in use by organisations all over the world including the NHS and the major UK mental health charities. The Five Ways to Wellbeing is a simple way of thinking about our mental health, suggesting 5 easy actions which we can all take to improve our happiness in our daily lives. The ‘5 ways’ have been adapted to an outdoor, green environment.
Our ranger, Rhyddian Knight, holds an honours degree in outdoor and environmental education, is an accredited practitioner with the Institute of Outdoor Learning; and is a Level 3 Forest School Leader.
Youth & Children in the Wood
As well as topic specific school visits, we are interested in delivering Forest School for young learners who learn more effectively in an experiential situation outwith the usual classroom. This works well in close collaboration with the pupil’s school with the aim usually being reintegration or successful transition.
Outdoor Woodland Learning workshops for young people have featured regularly in Glenan. We hope to expand this by offering the wood and orchard as a space for sharing and developing best practice alongside other learning practitioners in the region.
Young people who have just left school, and have some extra support needs, but perhaps don’t have an immediate plan for future learning or employment, are welcomed to discuss supported volunteering at the wood with us; with the aim of individually tailoring to suit interests and abilities.
To make a specific request for your group; or to discuss running an event at the community forest; please email rhyddian@glenanwood.org.uk
You may be interested in our calendar of public events at the wood.
