Wellies in the Woods: Matthew’s Story
For Matthew, Wellies in the Woods provided the perfect opportunity to switch off screens and share his love of the outdoors with his five year old son in a nurturing environment.
Matthew says:
“All parents battle with their children’s screen time, and our family is no exception!
“When the chance to sign up for Wellies in the Woods at Samuel’s school came up, I jumped at it. The world faces a multitude of environmental threats, and in order for Samuel and his generation to protect the environment, they first must care about it.
“I felt a little nervous heading into that first session as I am not the most confident person when placed in a group of people that I don’t really know. Wellies in the Woods gave me the chance to get to know some of the other parents.
“It was a lovely, friendly environment with much chatting and laughter. Vicki, our facilitator from Groundwork Wales, quickly made everyone feel at ease. It was a pleasure to see that there were so many dads attending (not always something I’ve become accustomed to).
“I gained so much from the sessions on a personal level. Any opportunity to go into school and spend time with my son in his environment means a lot. Samuel was so excited at the prospect of us being together in school that Wellies in the Woods quickly became a highlight of his week.
“Wellies in the Woods showed me that there was so much more that we as a family could do to encourage outdoor fun and play. With a little thought and creativity, it is possible to create experiences and activities that are great fun and packed with opportunities to learn.
“With Samuel, I have felt the desire to plant seeds within him that would grow into that very same love of nature and the outdoors that I have always had. We now often take a book on our walks and there are few experiences as magical as sitting on a log in a wooded glade, bathed in dappled sunlight, reading together.
“As we endure a cost-of-living crisis, one of the great things about being outside in nature is that it is free. Using some of the things I learnt in the sessions now allows us to have wonderful days of fun together that cost absolutely nothing.
During one of the sessions, Samuel and I made a hedgehog using modelling clay and natural materials that we found. It currently sits pride of place on my desk. The following session saw us have an encounter with a real hedgehog which none of the children had ever seen before! That wouldn’t have happened had we not all been outside, in nature, on a Wellies in the Woods session.
About 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.
Through storybook-inspired sessions in local parks, woods and outdoor spaces, the programme helps children to build their confidence, improve early development and form a lasting connection and appreciation with nature, alongside improving literacy skills and encouraging reading.
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.
