“I discovered how much I enjoy being outdoors” – Lucy’s Story
Lucy joined the Connect programme in Tameside to explore new opportunities, develop practical skills, and build confidence. Through the programme, she engaged in outdoor learning, teamwork exercises, and green skills training.
Activities and Experiences
Throughout the programme, Lucy participated in a variety of hands-on activities:
Outdoor Skills: Survival skills, such as knot tying, fire lighting, shelter building, including using tarps and hammocks.
Practical Green Skills: Safe and confident tool use, including small hand tools such as loppers, bow saws, pruning saws and whittling knives; flora and fauna identification skills, including mammals, birds, trees and fungi; conservation skills including selective pruning, thinning and coppicing practices.
Teamwork and Communication: Constant collaboration with peers helped Lucy improve her communication skills, read social cues, and work effectively as part of a team.
“I really enjoyed the communication it encouraged between people. We constantly had to work together, which helped everyone expand their understanding of communication skills and reading cues. I particularly enjoyed making hammocks and preparing food outdoors.”
Outcomes and Skills Gained
Lucy gained a wide range of new skills and experiences:
Practical outdoor skills and fire safety
Increased knowledge of wildlife and fungi
Confidence in teamwork and problem-solving.
Awareness of potential hazards in outdoor settings, such as loose branches or vines.
“I’ve learned so much over the past few months. I now know how to use fires safely, identify different fungi, and develop various green skills, including how to safely put up shelters.”
Impact on Personal Growth
The programme helped Lucy discover her enjoyment of being outdoors and building friendships over shared activities like hammocks and fires. She also reported increased confidence, which supported her interest in acting.
“This project has already helped me a lot. I discovered how much I enjoy being outdoors, making friends around fires and hammocks, and learning to spot safety hazards I hadn’t noticed before.“
Future Goals
With support from her mentor Kelly, Lucy was referred to a programme to further develop her acting skills and pursue theatre opportunities. She plans to continue building her confidence and hopes to go into childcare in the future.
“Kelly has been really supportive. She referred me to a programme to hone my acting skills and pursue theatre opportunities. Acting and building confidence through these experiences have helped me a lot.”
Lucy’s journey through Connect Tameside highlights the positive impact of outdoor learning, practical skills, and mentorship on young people’s confidence, teamwork abilities, and future aspirations.