NEWS: Groundwork expands outdoor learning programme to provide access to nature for more young children
Groundwork has announced that even more children and families across the UK will now be able to enjoy greater access to nature following the expansion of their Wellies in the Woods programme.
Wellies in the Woods provides outdoor play and learning opportunities through storybook-inspired sessions in local parks, woods and outdoor spaces, in communities in need of extra provision.
Thanks to additional funding and investment from Miller Homes and the Bupa Foundation, delivery has grown, increasing access to the outdoors and providing health and wellbeing benefits for more pre-school children and their families.
Research shows that being outdoors brings a great deal of joy to children as 85% say it makes them ‘very happy’. Despite this, the opportunities for this are sadly dwindling with shockingly, only 27% of children regularly playing outside near their homes.
Wellies in the Woods provides a solution to this and inspires families to connect with nature on their doorsteps by demonstrating low-to no-cost activities that families can do at home together, enabling disadvantaged young children and families to safely explore, develop and learn.
Through being involved, children build their confidence, improve early development and form a lasting connection and appreciation with nature, alongside improving literacy skills and encouraging reading.
Speaking of the positive impact of the programme, a parent who attended Wellies in the Woods with her toddler, said: “We feel better after attending a Wellies in the Woods session – being outdoors noticeably improves our wellbeing. We go every week, even in the winter when it’s cold or wet!”
At Miller Homes, our purpose is creating great places where people and planet prosper. Partnering with Groundwork on the Wellies in the Woods programme is a natural extension of that commitment, helping children connect with nature, grow their confidence, and strengthen their literacy skills. We’re proud to support a charity that’s making such a meaningful difference in young lives and the future of the communities where we build new homes
Stewart Lynes, Chief Executive Officer at Miller Homes
Being outdoors together as a family is a wonderful way to feel happier and healthier. Nature helps us relax, feel more connected, and enjoy special moments with the people we love. The Bupa Foundation is proud to support Groundwork’s Wellies in the Woods programme, helping families build healthier minds and bodies through time in nature.
Anna Russell, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Director at Bupa Global & UK and Bupa Foundation
We all know how important early childhood experiences are in setting expectations and creating habits that last a lifetime – both good and bad. Ensuring more parents and guardians of young children have the confidence and support they need to explore the outdoors is not just important for children’s health and development but also helps families to bond.
The government has prioritised early years provision as one if its core missions and is also working to ensure more people are able to access and connect with nature close to home. Initiatives like Wellies in the Woods offer the professional support and encouragement needed to ensure the benefits of both are available to families who most need them.
Thank you to our partners in helping us kickstart this new phase of the programme and we welcome further conversations with future supporters for this important Groundwork initiative.
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive
Wellies in the Woods first began in Hertfordshire in 2016. Speaking of the programmes continued development, Hannah Smith, Team Manager, Groundwork East, said: “Outdoor play is vital for children’s development, but we know it can feel daunting to take those first steps. Wellies in the Woods is about building confidence, sharing ideas, and showing how outdoor learning can be simple, safe, and fun—all year round.”
For more information on local Wellies in the Woods sessions or how you to support the future development of the programme, please visit the Wellies in the Woods website here.
Groundwork is working alongside the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust to support delivery in Scotland.
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact: media@groundwork.org.uk
About Groundwork
Groundwork is a federation of charities with a collective mission to take practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places, and nature thrive. We support communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience in order to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to healthier, happier lives for all: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/about-groundwork/ourstrategy/
About Groundwork’s Wellies in the Woods
Groundwork’s Wellies in the Woods brings outdoor play and learning to young children and their families in deprived communities across the UK. By bringing beloved storybooks to life in the great outdoors, Wellies in the Woods creates a safe space where families can connect, learn, and grow together in learning sessions designed to inspire, educate, and empower: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/wellies-national/
